Suncor Energy provides RMWB operations update
May 9, 2016 | By MRO Magazine
Calgary – Suncor provides the following update regarding the situation in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
Suncor safely moved over 10,000 people, including employees, their families and Fort McMurray residents, out of the region; shut down its RMWB operations in a controlled manner to facilitate a quick and reliable start-up and worked with government to enhance fire protection measures in the region, including building firebreaks to protect people and our assets.
Although the fire reached the southern end of our mine at our oil sands base operations, fire mitigation efforts were successful. We continue to monitor the situation closely and current weather conditions and forecasts indicate the fire is moving east, away from our operations.
There has been no damage to Suncor’s assets. Suncor is beginning to implement its plan for a return to operations in the RMWB. Suncor anticipates it will commence its restart once it can do so safely and depending on the availability of critical third-party pipeline infrastructure.
“We have routinely brought down assets as part of planned maintenance and safely ramped them back up within days and we believe we can do so in these circumstances,” said Steve Williams, Suncor president and chief executive officer. “Over the weekend, several hundred people including first responders, contractors and Suncor essential personnel protected our oil sands operations. I extend my heartfelt thanks for their tireless efforts. Because of their efforts, we’re now in a position that when it is safe to restart, we can do so quickly.”
As part of the return to operations planning, Suncor, in connection with third-party pipeline providers, is conducting a thorough assessment to ensure the critical infrastructure required to support the start-up is available and that it can safely move people back into the region.
Syncrude also completed a safe and orderly shutdown of its facilities and is in the process of planning its return to operations.
For more information, visit suncor.com.
