Suncor oilsands plant shuts down after power loss, pond water effluent release

SuncorEnergy's base plant nearFort McMurray has stopped production after a release of pond water effluent and power losstriggered a disruption in operations.

Suncor saidit is responding to what it calls a "process upset" that occurred Wednesday afternoonat its base plant near Fort McMurray.

In an email, company spokespersonErin Reesdescribed a process upsetas "a temporary disruption to normal operations."

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) confirmeda release of pond water effluent and a power loss took place at the plant.Pond water effluentis waterfromoil sands mining that's recirculated from a tailings pond, AERsaid.

In addition to confirming there wereno injuries, the AER said that as of noon Thursdaywildlife hadnot been affected and containment measures werein place.

The AERsaid Suncorshut down production and started additional flaring, orcontrolled burning of natural gas, to manage the incident.

Location of Suncorbase plant

Reessaidthe safety of employees and contractors hasnot been affected. The company does not provide minute by minute status updates on its "day to day operational issues," Rees added.

Fort McKayFirst Nation, whose residents live on a reserve about 30kilometresfrom the plant, wasinformed about the incident but the band administration office hadno further comment.

The Wood Buffalo region is under an extreme cold weather warning with temperatures hovering aroundthe -30 degree Celsius range. It's not clear if weather is a factor intheSuncorincident.

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• MORE FORTMcMURRAYNEWS:Fort McKay First Nation says it's ready to take legal action against oilsands project if approved

Follow David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitterand email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca.