Chevron International Oil Co. and technology marketing partner ABB Lummus Crest will license technology and provide basic engineering design for modernization of one of Russia's largest refineries.
The subject of an agreement signed in late January at St. Petersburg, it is Chevron's first major technology license in Russia.
The refinery, about 70 miles southeast of St. Petersburg, is known as Kirishi. It is operated by the joint stock company Kirishinefteexport.
The key refining process unit covered by the agreement is a new hydrocracker said to be the largest such unit in the world. The hydrocracker will use Chevron's Isocracking technology, which maximizes production of middle distillates such as diesel fuel and jet fuel.
The refinery also win employ Chevron's technology to treat sour water, which contains ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The treatment yields clean water for reuse in the refinery.
Engineering design of the 60,100 b/d hydrocracker began in late February. Start-up is planned for mid-1999.
The 420,000 b/d refinery's upgrade is driven largely by a plan to increase conversion of crude oil to lighter products and a parallel reduction in fuel od production. The project also will increase middle distillates production.
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
