- Construction of the SDA unit starts next year, pending permits, and completes by end of 2018.
- The SDA unit will process heavier crude oil fractions into lighter, high-grade products.
- Shell Pernis has a capacity of 404,000 barrels per day and employs around 1,900 staff.
- At peak, the project will employ an additional 1,000 workers.
Project Overview
Shell has decided to build a new solvent deasphalter (SDA) unit at the Pernis refinery in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This unit will remove heavier fractions from crude oil, enabling the refinery to produce more lighter, high-grade products.
Timeline and Construction
Construction is set to begin next year, subject to permit approvals, with completion expected by the end of 2018. The new unit will not alter the refinery's total processing capacity but will allow for a different product mix. Some existing units will need modifications to integrate with the new SDA unit.
Refinery Details
Shell Pernis is the largest integrated refinery complex in Europe, strategically located in the Rotterdam industrial region. It has a capacity of 404,000 barrels per day and employs around 1,900 staff and 1,000 contractors on average. During peak construction, an additional 1,000 workers will be employed.
Market and Environmental Impact
The SDA unit will provide the refinery with greater flexibility to respond to market changes and reduce the environmental footprint of its products. This investment strengthens Shell Pernis' position as a key contributor to the Dutch economy and a major employer in the Rotterdam port area.
