Total plans a €1 billion modernization of its Antwerp, Belgium, refining and petrochemical complex that will include new upgrading capacity at the 338,000-b/cd refinery.
Total will add a solvent deasphalting unit and a mild hydrocracking unit at the refinery to increase yields of desulfurized diesel and ultralow-sulfur heating oil from heavy fuel oil. It didn’t report capacities. The new upgrading facility is to start up in early 2016.
Total also will add a plant to convert refinery fuel gases into petrochemical feedstock, replacing naphtha. The project will increase integration between the refinery and petrochemical units of the complex.
Total will shut down the smallest and oldest steam cracker at Antwerp, now idle, as well as the smallest and oldest polyethylene production line.
