Stuart oil shale project date set

Participants in the Stuart oil shale project, near Gladstone, Queensland, have set the target date for plant commissioning at yearend 2000. At present, the Stuart project is endeavoring to overcome some teething problems, including odor emissions. Partners in the Stuart joint venture are Southern Pacific Petroleum NL, Central Pacific Minerals NL, and Canadian company Suncor.

An extensive review earlier this year (carried out by a team of experts from Suncor Inc., SPP/CPM, Bechtel, the Australian Commonwealth Scientific Industry Research Organization, and the retort developer UMATAC) has mapped out a program to improve the management of air emissions as well as the performance of other key plant operations. These include shale preparation and fines management.

The companies recently appointed Jim McFarland to managing director from deputy managing director of the project.