ExxonMobil to increase sulfur fuels production at Beaumont refinery in US

ExxonMobil is set to increase ultra-low sulfur fuels production at its Beaumont refinery in Texas, US.

The plan to increase production by about 40,000 barrels per day is aimed at strengthening the company's integrated downstream portfolio.

As part of the expansion, the company plans to install a selective cat naphtha hydrofining unit that uses a catalyst technology to remove sulfur while reducing octane loss.

This installation is the facility’s second expansion project in a year and follows the announcement of the Beaumont refinery’s capacity expansion of 20,000 barrel-per-day last year.

ExxonMobil North America refining director Steve Cope said: “ExxonMobil continues to strengthen its portfolio of world-class refining assets.

“This investment further enhances the competitiveness of our US Gulf Coast refineries.”

ExxonMobil expects startup of the flexible SCANfining technology in 2018.

The technology is used to produce petrol and will meet the US Environmental Protection Agency’s tier-three petrol sulfur specifications.

Beaumont refinery manager Fernando Salazar said: “This specialised unit will improve our product yield, and demonstrates our technology advantage and focus on increasing energy efficiency.

“This project represents the largest capital investment in our Beaumont refinery operations in more than a decade, and will benefit the local economy with both temporary and full-time jobs.”

ExxonMobil’s Beaumont refinery includes a 345,000 barrel-per-day capacity refinery, as well as chemical, lubricants and polyethylene plants.