Syncrude is complying with an Alberta Environment Protection Order to shut down operations of its flue gas desulphurization unit and associated equipment, including pulling feed on one of its three coker units (coker 8-3).
Syncrude is complying with an Alberta Environment Protection Order to shut down operations of its flue gas desulphurization unit and associated equipment, including pulling feed on one of its three coker units (coker 8-3). The order does not impact the rest of Syncrude?s base plant operations at its Mildred Lake facility which continues to operate at full capacity.
The order was issued due to complaints from residents of Fort McKay and Fort McMurray about odours in their communities. Syncrude has been working with regulators over the last several weeks to determine the cause of the odour. Production was also reduced to the new fluid coker in an attempt to identify the odour source while the unit was operational.
We have been deeply concerned about the odour complaints resulting from the start-up of our expansion project and will continue to work with Alberta Environment and regulators to determine the cause of the recent odours and take appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
Jim carter
Syncrude President and Chief Operating Officer
Syncrude will submit a detailed plan to Alberta Environment on its efforts to pinpoint the source of the odours and will continue to fully cooperate with regulators in this regard.
The flue gas desulphurization unit is a new technology that virtually eliminates SO2 emissions from the expanded facility. When fully operational, it will help Syncrude reduce its overall SO2 emissions.
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 Oil Sands Partnership, and Petro-Canada Oil and Gas.
Trading Symbols for Public Syncrude Joint Venture Owners:
| Canadian Oil Sands Trust (via Canadian Oil Sands Limited and Canadian Oil Sands Limited Partnership) | COS.UN-TSX |
| ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II (wholly owned by ConocoPhillips) | COP-NYSE |
| Imperial Oil Resources | IMO-TSX/AMEX |
| Murphy Oil Company Ltd. | MUR-NYSE |
| Nexen Inc. | NXY-TSX/NYSE |
| Petro-Canada | PCA-TSX/PCZ-NYSE |
