NEW YORK - Exxon Mobil on Monday confirmed natural gas production from the Sable Offshore Energy Project in Nova Scotia had returned following an operational incident last week.

Just confirming that we're back in production. There was a mechanical repair required and we did that repair over the weekend, said Exxon spokesman Merle MacIsaac.

MacIsaac said normal production from the facility, about 400 million cubic feet per day, could continue to be affected on any given day by some ongoing planned maintenance work.

Spectra Energy units Maritimes Canada and Maritimes U.S. said in separate website postings Monday that production had returned to normal.

On April 7 Exxon said the production field was shut-in due to the operational incident.

According to the company's website, the Sable Project is owned by Exxon, Shell, Imperial Oil, Pengrowth Energy Trust and Mosbacher Operating Ltd.

The project produces between 400 and 500 million cubic feet of natural gas and 20,000 barrels of natural gas liquids per day.

Natural gas from the Sable Project flows to markets in Atlantic Canada and New England on Spectra's Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline.

The 340-mile U.S. and 330-mile Canadian line, with the capacity to deliver 440 mmcf per day in the U.S. and 530 mmcf per day in Canada, is majority owned by Spectra Energy Transmission with Emera Inc (EMA.TO) and Exxon Mobil owning minority stakes. (Reporting by Eileen Moustakis; editing by Jim Marshall)

Energy