Meridian Energy Group Inc. has selected Axens as the technology provider for the final stages of basic engineering design for its 49 500 bpd Davis refining complex being constructed in Billings County, North Dakota, US.
The project will use Axens’ clean fuels technologies to refine local Bakken tight oil and produce ultra-low sulfur transportation fuels while minimising energy consumption and environmental footprint.
The latest design efforts include Axens’ Octanising® (CCR reforming) and HyKTM (VGO hydrocracking) units, respectively, for the production of high-octane gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
These units will complete the previously designed Axens’ Prime-DTM (diesel hydrotreating), Benfree® (benzene reduction), and naphtha hydrotreating units. Co-processing of locally sourced vegetable oils in the Prime-DTM unit will enable the refinery to meet renewable fuels standards (RFS) and to reduce the Meridian Energy Group carbon footprint. Both teams considered energy efficiency and environmental impacts by optimising process heat integration and conducting process heater emission reduction studies.