Incitec Pivot Ltd. has announced that, after running at nameplate capacity since the re-start at the end of May, the Waggaman ammonia plant in Louisiana, US, was brought down on 28 August in anticipation of Hurricane Ida.
Inspections undertaken since the hurricane have not identified any material damage to the plant and the plant’s re-start has been awaiting restoration of high voltage industrial power and utilities from third party providers. Factoring in the anticipated restoration of power and utilities, the total outage is expected to be approximately 4 weeks from the date the plant was brought down.
Based on current market prices for ammonia, and the planned restart schedule, the loss of earnings before interest and tax is approximately US$28 million.