Refinery defers Turnaround, pandemic plan in place

March 17, 2020

The Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) will defer the start of its spring Turnaround until at least May 15, 2020. The annual mega-project was originally scheduled to start at the beginning of April.

Moving forward, any potential new start date will now be assessed in consultation with provincial health officials. Turnaround typically sees an influx of hundreds of additional workers on site at the CRC. However, at this time, it is simply not safe for our employees or our community to have additional people arriving on site while the threat of COVID-19 exists.

The deferral of Turnaround is part of the CRC response plan to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CRC has put protocols in place over the past few weeks to ensure the health and safety of its employees is maintained and to safeguard the operation of the refinery.

The CRC is part of the Saskatchewan Critical Infrastructure Network and wants to assure residents that the refinery will continue to produce fuel during this time. Saskatchewan hospitals and emergency services will have the fuel they require in the event of any emergency.

The CRC has put a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place that incorporates best practices in pandemic planning and will continue to consult with health-care officials to monitor and prevent the spread of COVID-19.