BIG UPGRADE SLATED AT SHELL'S PERNIS REFINERY

Shell Nederland Raffinaderij BV plans a $2 billion upgrade of the Pernis refinery near Rotterdam. A hydrocracker and oil gasification plant valued at $1.5 billion are to go on stream in 1997 to modify the plant's product mix, while $500 million will be spent during 10 years mainly on emissions control. "These investments will lead to a partly renovated refinery geared to cope with customer demand for cleaner products, while continuing to reduce emissions to the atmosphere and surface

Jan. 26, 1993

2 min read

Shell Nederland Raffinaderij BV plans a $2 billion upgrade of the Pernis refinery near Rotterdam.

A hydrocracker and oil gasification plant valued at $1.5 billion are to go on stream in 1997 to modify the plant's product mix, while $500 million will be spent during 10 years mainly on emissions control.

"These investments will lead to a partly renovated refinery geared to cope with customer demand for cleaner products, while continuing to reduce emissions to the atmosphere and surface water," said Jeroen van der Veer, Pernis general manager.

The refinery processes 40 kinds of high sulfur crudes. While market demand is shifting to lighter products, future supplies of crude are predicted to remain biased toward heavy crudes with high sulfur content.

The new hydrocracker and gasification plant will not substantially change refinery capacity, which is about 400,000 b/d.

The hydrocracker will convert heavy, high sulfur, middle distillates to light, desulfurized products such as naphtha or low sulfur diesel fuel and kerosine.

The gasifier, based on a Shell process, will convert heavy residues to synthesis gas, some of which will be broken down to provide hydrogen for the cracker. The remainder will fuel a new steam and power generation plant.

Emission control equipment will be installed during 10 years to bring the plant in line with the Dutch government's limits for sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides.