(Updates with additional comments in paragraph three.)
NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) said the shutdown of a crude unit at its Cherry Point refinery in Blaine, Washington, on Tuesday resulted in a release of sulfur dioxide, according to a report to the National Response Center.
The refinery, which has been out of service since a February 17 crude unit fire, is engaged in restart activities, which could include several more stops and starts as trouble-shooting efforts continue, a person familiar with the plant said on Thursday.
"It's pretty normal to have to make adjustments whenever you restart a unit, especially if its been down 'cold' for so long," the person added.
BP spokesman Scott Dean, citing company policy, was not able to comment on day-to-day refining operations but did say the 230,000-barrel-a-day Cherry Point refinery is on schedule to restart, as expected, by mid-May.
-By Rose Marton-Vitale, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-264-4185; rose.marton@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 10, 2012 11:25 ET (15:25 GMT)
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