By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 12 -- Turkmenistan currently is planning a major upgrade of its Seyidi refinery to bring it into conformance with new ecological standards, according to a report Tuesday in nCa Watch (News Central Asia). A $300 million upgrade to a total capacity of 120,000 b/d of oil, including hydrorefining capacity is planned along with an $800 million gas processing and petrochemical production complex at Seyidi.
A $1.2 billion modernization of the Turkmenbashy refinery 2 years ago has enabled the country to produce high-octane gasoline for the last 2 years, nCa reported.
After renovations at the Seidi refinery, the two facilities together will be capable of processing 15 million tonnes/year of oil by 2010 (OGJ, Oct. 7, 2002, p. 20).
Turkmenistan now claims to be first among the Commonwealth of Independent States to switch over completely to 100% lead-free gasoline. Diesel oil produced in Turkmenistan also conforms to international 'zero-sulfur' standards, nCa said.
