UAE’s Takreer has started successfully commissioning the $10-billion Ruwais Refinery Expansion (RRE) project.

The project aims at satisfying the growing demand of high quality petroleum products in the local market as well as maintaining Adnoc’s presence in the international market for refined products.

The project also aims at creating integration with the neighbouring petrochemical Industry through exporting 1.1 million tonnes per year of propylene to the (Borouge) Olefins Complex in Ruwais that results in saving investment cost and reducing operating cost to the benefit of both operating companies.

The project will increase Takreer’s refining capacity of crude oil by 417,000 barrels per day (bpd) and nearly double its production of transportation fuels – gasoline, jet and diesel – after the project becomes fully on stream in early 2015.

Chief executive officer Jasem Al Sayegh states that integrating development projects allows companies to save on capital and operational expenditure.

“Takreer and Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) integrated expansion plans, from the design phase of both our Ruwais Refinery Expansion and our partner’s Borouge III polyolefin complex expansion. This joint effort maximises the benefits of having Abu Dhabi’s largest petrochemicals and refining plants next to one another,” says Al Sayegh.

The process configuration consists of 26 major process units with supporting offsite and utilities units. The latest technology has been incorporated to reduce the carbon footprint enabling Takreer to become an environmental pacesetter in future.

The RRE project

RRE is part of Adnoc’s strategy to develop its downstream industry to meet future requirements. The centerpiece of the project is the residue fluidised catalytic cracking unit at 127,000 bpd, the largest of its kind. The scheme was selected to profitably upgrade the bottom of the barrel and to maximise propylene production for capturing the benefits of integrating with the petrochemicals industry.

The $2.5-billion Carbon Black and Delayed Coker project reflects Takreer’s vision to improve margins, remain competitive, invest for sustained growth in the industry and integrate with petrochemicals and the aluminium industries.

The project aims at transforming the overall heavy oil produced by the company’s current refineries and the new refinery in Ruwais into light petroleum derivatives, in addition to the carbon black used by Borouge in manufacturing pipelines and cables, as well as anode quality coke to be used in local aluminium smelters.

Propylene is due for local consumption, but the other chemicals will be exported.

A surge in domestic energy demand in Mideast countries and a desire to keep more value from oil production inside the country have spurred the regional refinery boom. Saudi and UAE officials say that the Mideast Gulf may end up exporting fewer barrels of crude but will see a boost in refined products sales.