To meet changing energy needs, a modernization plan is underway at Antwerp, Europe's largest refining and petrochemicals platform. The plan aims to improve competitiveness, efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. Adapting to declining heavy oil demand and rising diesel popularity, new units will be installed starting in 2016. Sharing resources among the platform's sites will enhance performance and reduce environmental impact. Energy efficiency is a top priority, with off-gas from oil refining to be used as feedstock in petrochemicals units, reducing reliance on expensive naphtha.
Consumers’ energy needs are constantly changing. To ensure we continue to meet these needs, we have rolled out an ambitious modernization plan at Antwerp, our largest refining and petrochemicals platform in Europe. Our goal is to make the site more competitive and efficient, while reducing its environmental impact.
The European market is changing rapidly. Demand for heavy oil is declining, the popularity of diesel as a choice of fuel is rising, and regulations are imposing increasingly lower sulfur levels. In this new environment, adapting our industrial facilities is a necessity. Starting in 2016, the Antwerp refining and petrochemicals platform will be equipped with new units to meet these evolving needs.
We also plan to improve our industrial and environmental performance by making it easier for the platform’s three sites to share resources. Our aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the Antwerp platform while at the same time making it one of our most competitive facilities.
Energy efficiency a top priority
Off-gas produced from oil refining is currently used as fuel in refinery furnaces, but it will soon be recovered and used as feedstock in petrochemicals units. These gases will partially replace naphtha, an increasingly expensive petroleum-based product.