UOP and EMRE finalise Gazprom Neft technology licensing agreement

US-based UOP, a Honeywell company, and ExxonMobil Research and Engineering (EMRE) have finalised a technology licensing agreement with a subsidiary of Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft.

The plant will install a hydroprocessing unit using UOP and EMRE technology as part of its modernisation programme. The technology finalised under Honeywell’s UOP and EMRE’s joint marketing alliance is expected to enable Gazprom to improve its production of refined distillates at its Moscow Oil Refinery Plant.

With the help of EMRE’s distillate de-waxing technology, the refiner will combine UOP Distillate Unionfining hydroprocessing solutions in order to produce low-sulphur diesel.

UOP Process Technology and Equipment vice president and general manager Pete Piotrowski said: "The combined UOP and EMRE technology platform offers the Moscow Oil Refinery a single, integrated solution for its hydroprocessing and fuel de-waxing needs."

The UOP Distillate Unionfining process improves the quality of kerosene, jet fuel and diesel. The project integrates UOP Distillate Unionfining technology with EMRE’s catalytic de-waxing MIDW process in order to improve the yields of high-quality diesel with better cold flow properties.

Due to the addition of the hydrotreating unit, the refinery will be able produce fuel to meet stringent Euro V emissions standards for motor vehicles.

EMRE technology, sales and licensing manager Vince Alberico said: "Together, UOP’s hydroprocessing solutions and EMRE’s distillate de-waxing technology will help Moscow Oil improve its high-quality, low-sulphur diesel refining capabilities."

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Image: A Honeywell refinery in Pasadena, Texas. Photo: courtesy of Honeywell.