- The hydrocracking complex at Sines refinery began commercial production.
- The project involved a total investment of €1.4 billion.
- The hydrocracker processes 43,000 barrels of heavy vacuum gasoil daily.
- Production stabilization at maximum capacity is expected during the current quarter.
Project Completion
The hydrocracking complex at the Sines refinery has begun commercial production, marking the conclusion of the upgrade project at both the Sines and Matosinhos refineries. This milestone initiates a new phase in the refining business.
Investment and Goals
The refineries upgrade project, which involved a total investment of €1.4 billion, aimed to increase diesel production over fuel oil, aligning with market demand and enhancing the profitability of the refining system. The project included the commissioning of 585 sub-systems at the Sines refinery, which began in the third quarter of 2012.
Operational Details
The hydrocracker has a daily processing capacity of 43,000 barrels of heavy vacuum gasoil and is currently operating at normal conditions with a utilization rate above 60%. Production stabilization at maximum capacity is expected during the current quarter, although the utilization rate will depend on optimal system use and international refining margins.
Quality Control and Safety
Strict quality control systems were implemented throughout the project, particularly during the commissioning phase, ensuring the successful start-up of operations and achieving high safety standards.
Complexity Increase
Following the upgrade, the complexity of the refining system increased, with the Nelson complexity index rising from 9.4 to 10.7 at the Matosinhos refinery and from 6.3 to 7.7 at the Sines refinery. This enhancement makes the refining system more complex, efficient, and flexible, allowing for improved refining margins from the first quarter of 2013.
