CO Boiler maintenance at Syncrude

(Fort McMurray, Alberta) – On Monday, July 19th at approx 5pm, the 8-1 CO (carbon monoxide) Boiler at Syncrude’s Mildred Lake site was taken off line for repairs. It is anticipated that the unit will be operating again by Friday afternoon, July 23rd. There have been no off-site exceedances of Alberta Ambient Air Quality Guidelines attributed to this diverting event.

To allow the necessary repairs to be completed safely, gas from Coker 8-1 is being diverted from the boiler so that it goes to atmosphere through the Diverter Stack. It is a normal, routine practice to isolate a CO Boiler for mid-run maintenance. Syncrude’s Upgrading Operations have reduced coker feed rates and taken other measures to minimize the Diverter Stack emissions during the maintenance shutdown. This reduction is having minimal impact on crude oil shipments.

“I want to re-enforce that the diverter stack usage is normal during on-line repairs to the 8-1 CO Boiler, and that the area is being regularly monitored to ensure that the stack plume does not affect any workers in the base plant area,” said Jim Carter, Syncrude President and Chief Operating Officer.

“Managing the health and safety of our on-site workers and, in fact, our entire community remains a priority and all necessary precautions have been put in place,” he added. “Ongoing environmental air monitoring continues in conjunction with the appropriate agencies, including the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association, Alberta Environment and AEUB.”

Prior to the commencement of the 8-1 CO Boiler maintenance work, key regional stakeholders, including Alberta Environment were notified. Alberta Environment was on site yesterday to review recovery plans and indicated they are satisfied with these plans. Syncrude’s Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Department have increased their monitoring of air quality on site. Off-site air monitoring is via the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association?s air monitoring network that includes stations in close proximity to the Syncrude site, as well as ones in Fort McMurray and Fort McKay.

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and owned by Canadian Oil Sands Limited, ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Inc., and Petro-Canada Oil and Gas.

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