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Syncrude production disrupted by coker issues

PHOTO. A 2011 photo of Syncrude's production facility at the Mildred Lake site. File photo.

Production from an upgrader at the Syncrude oilsands mine has been disrupted. She says repairs are being made and the unit will be restarted.

A coker breaks down heavier crude into lighter oils, gases, and petroleum coke and is an important step in the upgrading process. The synthetic crude oil that comes out of the upgrader can then be refined into products like gasoline and diesel.