Yasref taps CLG technology for Yanbu refinery

Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Co. Ltd. (Yasref)—a joint venture of Saudi Aramco (62.5%) and China Petrochemical Corp. (Sinopec) (37.5%)—has implemented technology licensed by Chevron Lummus Global (CLG)—a joint venture of CB&I and Chevron Corp.—in the hydrocracker of its 400,000-b/d refinery along the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Industrial City.

Initially commissioned in September 2015, the 124,000-b/sd, fresh-feed hydrocracker is equipped with CLG’s proprietary maximum-conversion Isocracking technology and two-stage recycle configuration design, which has enabled the unit to steadily produce 263,000 b/sd of high-quality, middle distillates, Euro 5-quality diesel, and aviation kerosine, CLG said.

Alongside the Yanbu refinery, CLG also has licensed its Isocracking technology in Saudi Arabia for two hydrocracking units with a total capacity of 120,000 b/sd at Saudi Aramco Total Refinery & Petrochemicals Co.'s (Satorp) 400,000-b/d full-conversion refinery complex at Jubail, which entered operation in 2014 (OGJ Online, May 23, 2016), according to a July 2008 release from CLG.

Aramco also has let a contract to CLG to provide an Isocracking hydrocracking unit equipped to convert 106,000 b/d of vacuum gas oil into Euro 5-quality diesel at its a 400,000-b/d refinery now under construction at Jazan Economic City (OGJ Online, Feb. 8, 2016), CLG said in a 2011 release announcing the award.

As of early 2016, the Jazan refinery’s CLG hydrocracker was still in its detailed-engineering and construction phase, according to Chevron’s Saudi Arabia country web site.

Previously scheduled for startup late this year, the Jazan refinery and associated marine terminal project—which will be coordinated with a large integrated gasification combined-cycle plant—are due to be fully commissioned in 2017.

Contact Robert Brelsford at [email protected].