Gas production from the Sable Offshore Energy Project (SOEP) resumed Sunday following a shut-in that began last Tuesday, according to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB).

Production had been shut in since about 2 a.m. ADT last Tuesday (see Daily GPI, April 9; April 8).

The project normally produces 400-500 MMcf/d and about 20,000 b/d of natural gas liquids, according to operator ExxonMobil. Gas production travels on Spectra Energy’s Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, which interconnects with Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, Tennessee Gas Pipeline and Algonquin Gas Transmission. Through laterals Maritimes & Northeast serves markets in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Emera Inc. and ExxonMobil Canada own minority interests in the pipeline.

“There was an electrical short-circuit, and this resulted in some smoke and flame and that activated our safety response system,” an ExxonMobil spokesman told NGI last week. “That was quickly brought under control, but connected to this was a water pump that was activated and it malfunctioned, and that’s the issue that is requiring time to make the repair.”

The Sable project is owned by ExxonMobil Canada Properties Ltd., Shell Canada Ltd., Imperial Oil Resources, Pengrowth Energy Trust and Mosbacher Operating Ltd.

The CNSOPB said it has reviewed the offshore incidents and approved ExxonMobil’s repair and pre-start test programs.

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