Business
AOSP resumes full production
AOSP resumes full production.
About this update from Mapath Capital Corp
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\nCALGARY, March 20 /CNW/ - Shell Canada announced today that the Athabasca\nOil Sands Project (AOSP) has returned to full bitumen and synthetic crude\nproduction design rates, ahead of schedule, following the replacement of a\ndamaged conveyor belt at the mine.\nOn February 24, 2006, a major tear was discovered in the conveyor belt\nthat transports ore from the crushers in the mine to the bitumen extraction\nplant. Using an undamaged portion of the belt, the mine maintained production\nat approximately one-third of design rate until a full shutdown was initiated\non March 14, 2006 to install a new belt. Belt installation proceeded more\nquickly than anticipated and both the mine and upgrader have now returned to\nfull design rates. A root cause analysis of the conveyor belt tear was\nconducted and changes in maintenance practices and belt operating procedures\nhave been implemented at the mine.\nThe Scotford Upgrader was also able to sustain production at\napproximately one-third of design rate since the belt failure on February 24,\n2006. Shell's Scotford Refinery, which receives synthetic crude from the\nupgrader, successfully secured alternate feedstock and customer supply was not\nan issue during this period.\n\nThe AOSP consists of the Muskeg River Mine, located about 75 kilometres\nnorth of Fort McMurray, Alberta and the Scotford Upgrader, located near Fort\nSaskatchewan, northeast of Edmonton. The AOSP is a joint venture among Shell\nCanada Limited (60 per cent), Chevron Canada Limited (20 per cent) and Western\nOil Sands L.P. (20 per cent). The Scotford Refinery, located adjacent to the\nScotford Upgrader, is owned 100 per cent by Shell Canada Limited.\n\nThis document contains \"forward-looking statements\" based upon\nmanagement's assessment of the Corporation's operations. The forward-looking\nstatements contained in this document include references to future production\nand operational reliability. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance\non forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous\nassumptions, known and unknown risks, and uncertainties that may cause the\nCorporation's actual performance or results to differ materially from any\nestimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied\nby such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risk...