BP declares fourth FM on PTA at Geel, Belgium

14 February 2011 12:20  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--BP's attempt to restart its purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant at Geel, Belgium, has forced the company to announce a fourth force majeure (FM) because of a problem with a heat exchanger which occurred when it tried to lift the third FM, a company source said on Monday.

“At one minute past midnight on Thursday 10 February we had to put in place a fourth force majeure because of a problem with a heat exchanger when trying to lift the third force majeure,” the source said.

Repairs are expected to take nine to 10 days, the source added. 

BP's PTA 3 unit, which forms part of its 3.3m tonne/year PTA plant at Geel, had been on 40% allocation and FM since January because of a mechanical problem.

“From one minute past midnight on 10 February we are now on 100% allocation,” the BP source said.

This follows two other declarations of FM in December and January on BP’s PTA 2 unit at Geel.

($1 = €0.74)

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By: Julia Meehan
+44 20 8652 3214

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