PDVSA shutters FCC unit for maintenance

Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) has shut down the fluid catalytic cracking unit at its 126,900-b/d El Palito refinery near Pto. Cabello, Carabobo state, for preventative maintenance, the state-owned company confirmed.

The unit was shut down on Jan. 21 to correct leaks of air and water vapor in the starting line of the plant’s regenerator, PDVSA said.

The FCC unit will remain off-line for preventative maintenance for about 6 days, according to Willians Arevalo, PDVSA’s deputy manager for the Carabobo complex.

During the maintenance period, the rest of El Palito’s refining units will continue to operate normally, and product supply obligations to customers will not be interrupted, PDVSA said.