Neste Oil lets contract for Porvoo refinery unit

Neste Oil Corp. has let a service contract to Finland’s Metso Corp. for technology to convert gasoline fractions into high-octane gasoline at a process unit under construction at its 205,000-b/d Porvoo, Finland, refinery.

Neste Oil and Metso have agreed on the delivery of automation and valve technology for the isomerization unit to help the refiner increase the output of high-octane gasoline and improve flexibility in production, Metso said.

Construction started in 2013, and the unit is scheduled for commissioning in spring 2015, according to Metso.

Metso’s delivery includes a Metso DNA automation system, a safety system, and links to Neste Oil’s existing systems, as well as automated on-off and emergency shutdown (ESD) valves. Metso also will provide project engineering, installation, commissioning, and training.

Neste Oil confirmed its plan to build the isom unit to enhance gasoline production at the Porvoo refinery in early 2013, at which time it estimated an investment of about $85 million for the project, according to a Feb. 4, 2013, release from the company.

The isom unit will have the capacity to process 600,000 tonnes/year of existing gasoline fractions into premium gasoline and increase the refinery’s total gasoline output by 200,000 tpy, the company said.

Neste Oil first announced the project in 2008 but postponed construction in 2009 because of weaker demand for petroleum products (OGJ Online, June 15, 2009).