UOP technology chosen for modernization project at top Kazakhstan refinery
Technology from Honeywell's UOP has been selected by the largest refiner in Kazakhstan to help it upgrade its facility and boost the production of gasoline and diesel, the company said on Thursday.
The Pavlodar Oil Chemical Refinery (POCR) of KazMunaiGas will use a range of UOP processes and services to modernize its facility in Northeast Kazakhstan Province, allowing it to meet Euro-5 standards aimed at reducing motor vehicle pollution.
“UOP technology will play a large role in POCR’s modernization efforts, which will improve its production capacity and help meet strict fuel standards,” said Pete Piotrowski, senior vice president and general manager of UOP's process technology and equipment business unit.
“UOP’s technology suite and services will help POCR capture a high return on investment, and we look forward to successful implementation and start-up.”
Established in 1978, POCR is one of Kazakhstan’s three oil refineries, and it is the country’s largest oil processing enterprise. It processed about 100,000 bpd in 2010, accounting for 30% of refined product output in the country.
After Russia, Kazakhstan has the largest oil reserves and the largest oil production in the former Soviet Union, according to the Energy Information Administration. The country is expected to produce 1.6 million bpd of oil this year.
Since 1998, Honeywell has been expanding its presence in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas, aviation, and construction sectors in support of the country’s growing energy needs, according to the company, which notes that its technology will also help the country meet energy efficiency directives for cleaner transportation fuels.
Kazakhstan has announced that by January 1, 2016, all refineries will meet Euro-5 gasoline and diesel production standards, which were implemented to help curb motor vehicle pollution. Euro-5 is a directive by the European Union that defines acceptable limits for exhaust emissions.
In the latest project, POCR will use a suite of UOP technology for the revamp. The new units, expected to start up in 2015, will process 7.5 million metric tpy of crude feedstock into gasoline blending components and high-quality diesel, increasing the depth of conversion to more than 90%.
In addition to technology licensing, UOP and a number of its affiliates will provide key process equipment, catalysts, staff training and technical service.
Further details on specific UOP technologies to be used in the project can be read here.
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