Shell Canada takes unit offline at Sarnia, Ontario, refinery

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Weather conditions in southern Ontario prompted Shell Canada to shut one unit at its 75,000 barrel per day Sarnia refinery for minor repairs on Tuesday, causing some flaring, a company spokesman said.

Spokesman Stephen Doolan said the remainder of the plant was operating normally and the unit will be brought back online when safe to do so.

He did not specify which unit was affected, or what the impact on production would be.

Southern Ontario has been hit by the same harsh winter conditions that have plagued parts of the United States, with temperatures in the province dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius (Frankfurt: FX8.F - news) (minus 4 Fahrenheit).

Midwest traders said they saw Shell (LSE: RDSB.L - news) buying gasoline heavily in the Group Three market, pushing cash gasoline prices up by 7 cents per gallon. Group Three differentials since retreated by a penny to last trade up by 6 cents. (Reporting by Nia Williams; Additional reporting by Kristen Hays (LSE: HAS.L - news) )