Refinery news

Vadinar refinery expansion

Essar Oil has announced adjustments to plans to expand the Vadinar refinery, Gujarat. The refinery was originally going to be expanded to produce 16 million tpy, however, this has now been increased to 18 million tpy.

As part of the expansion Essar will modify the visbreaker in to a crude distillation unit. Phase I of the expansion is due to increase production to 320 000 bpd and come online by December 2010. Phase II will be online by March 2011. The original expansion was estimated to cost Rs 7810 crore, new estimations have not been released.

Dunkerque refinery closure

Total will announced the official closure of its Dunkerque refinery on 1^st February 2010. The facility was shut on 15^th September 2009 indefinitely due to poor demand. The decision to close the refinery which employs 780 people has not been finally confirmed however, this is expected after the union meeting on 1^st February.

 It is possible that the 137 000 bpd plant will be converted in to a fuel storage centre.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/29012010/refinery_news_january_26/