PENN TWP — Mountain Gathering, a subsidiary of XTO Energy, will shut down its cryogenic natural gas processing plant Monday for three to five days to connect a liquid pipeline to the facility and to make other maintenance repairs.

XTO is connecting a MarkWest Energy pipeline to the facility, Amy Dobkin, a representative with XTO Energy, said in a news release.

Dobkin said some of the steps taken during the project will result in loud noises and smoke in the area along Hicks Road.

The company will purge all lines and the plant will be shut down. It will then vent any remaining natural gas and liquids in the system, which will cause loud noises for about an hour.

There is a possibility of smoke being produced and it may last for 30 minutes.

Emergency units in the township will be told before venting takes place.

In preparation to the work, there will be increased truck traffic this weekend as the company removes all the liquids in storage tanks.

There will also be an increase in contractor traffic throughout the week as workers arrive for 12-hour work days.

The work will be completed during daylight hours and will in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations, the company said.

The company will tell township officials when it plans to reopen the facility.