Agrium shuts down Keani plants Oct. 23

Agrium said Oct. 20 that its Kenai nitrogen facility would shut down Oct. 23 “due to lack of gas supply and will not likely restart until some time in early 2007.”

The company said the shutdown will result “in higher fixed cost charges in the fourth quarter.”

Agrium spokeswoman Lisa Parker told Petroleum News Oct. 20 that this extended shutdown will not lead to a workforce reduction.

Maintenance will be done while the plants are down and Agrium will be operating some equipment which will need to be monitored. She said Agrium has been working with employees over the last couple of months on options for taking voluntary leave during the shutdown.

Parker also said that the Alaska Department of Labor has offered great support to Agrium’s employees in the last year and a half.

—Kristen Nelson