The plant, which has been the subject of much criticism by environmental groups, produced a record 69,000 barrels in the first 29 days in January. "As of 29 January, the Stage 1 plant had processed 1,098,000 tonnes of oil shale and produced 661,000 barrels of oil during 295 operating days since project start-up," the company said in its quarterly report.

SPP said the current production run that began on 13 December 2002, has been onstream now for 40 days so far and has produced approximately 98,000 barrels of oil product.

A planned shutdown of the $300 million facility is planned for later this month to carry out preventative maintenance work and additional operational improvements.

Oil product sales in January and February totalled $6 million thanks to two large shipments, according to SPP.