US refiners are refocusing their attention on delayed coking operations as increased volumes of heavy Venezuelan crude returns to the market, participants said during a townhall session on Sept. 2 at the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Summit (AFPM) 2026 Summit in Grapevine, Tex.

The session, “Venezuelan Crudes Are Back—Hello Again Coker!,” examined the operational issues associated with processing heavier, sourer Venezuelan crude grades. The discussion emphasized that Venezuelan supply can improve refinery economics, but only where refineries have the equipment, blending flexibility, and operating discipline to manage the feedstock.

Venezuelan crude typically requires more careful management than lighter feedstocks. Participants cited higher viscosity, sulfur, metals, water, and asphaltene levels. Those properties can increase fouling, coke formation, catalyst contamination, thermal stress, and demand for hydrogen and treating capacity.

While cokers provide refiners with a means to convert the heaviest portion of the crude barrel into lighter products and petroleum coke, participants agreed coker performance depends on more than the unit itself. Rather, the entire refinery must accommodate the additional operating burden.

Higher metals and salt levels can affect the crude unit, vacuum system, coker heater, hydroprocessing units, and sulfur plant. Increased sodium and chloride content can contribute to corrosion and can carry through the system if crude desalter performance declines. Water and contaminant handling also become more important as refiners adjust blends.

The participants stressed that operators must control coker feed properties rather than rely solely on downstream correction. Refiners may blend Venezuelan crude with lighter or more compatible feedstocks to meet limits for viscosity, sulfur, metals, and residue, with participants reporting use of blend-optimization software and laboratory studies to help identify combinations that maintain throughput while protecting equipment.

The discussion did not identify any specific new coker projects but instead underscored renewed operational interest in existing coking capacity as Venezuelan crude becomes more available. Refiners with spare capacity and suitable infrastructure may capture discounted heavy feedstock, while those lacking coking or upgrading capability will remain more dependent on blending and crude selection, participants said.