Total Normandy refinery gets hydrocracker

March 30, 2005
Total SA is investing 500 million euros to add a distillate hydrocracker with capacity of about 48,000 b/d and a steam methane reformer to its 343,000-b/cd Normandy refinery at Gonfreville l'Orcher, near Le Havre, France.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Mar. 29 -- Total SA is investing 500 million euros to add a distillate hydrocracker with capacity of about 48,000 b/d and a steam methane reformer to its 343,000-b/cd Normandy refinery at Gonfreville l'Orcher, near Le Havre, France.

The refinery will continue to operate throughout the construction, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2006.

The hydrocracker will convert heavy fractions into very low-sulfur distillates, enabling the refinery to produce high-quality bases for lubricants and specialty fluids and to reduce its output of heavy fuel oil.

French engineering firm Technip is overseeing construction of the two units, and Sofresid SA, Montigny le Bretonneux, France, is providing oversight for pipe works and reservoirs.