Shell completes growth project at Western Canada refinery

Anglo-Dutch oil and gas company Shell has completed a major growth project at its Scotford Refinery near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The project is expected to enhance hydrocracker production capacity by 20%. It was completed through the debottlenecking of the hydrocracker, a core refining unit that makes transportation fuels such as diesel and jet fuel.

In this process, all vessels, compressors and feed pumps are replaced to ensure greater volume of heavy crude oil processing.

Shell executive vice president of global manufacturing business Lori Ryerkerk said: “The completion of this upgrade will enhance the performance and competitiveness of Scotford’s integrated operations, which helps secure our position as an industry leader in this important region.

“This investment, in combination with other recent strategic investments, is a clear demonstration of Shell’s ongoing commitment to our refining and chemicals portfolio.”

The project will help to increase the facility’s production by 14,000 barrels per day and enable Scotford plant to deliver more high-quality diesel, jet fuel and petrol.

The Scotford facility incorporates a bitumen upgrader, oil refinery, chemical plant and carbon-capture-and-storage unit. The facility offers complete range of products in the Canadian market.

After receiving the final investment decision in January 2015, the project created 1,000 construction positions in the Edmonton area to install the new and modified equipment.

Scotford manufacturing site general manager Achim Schempp said: “Scotford is Shell’s oil refining hub in western Canada. The enhancement of our hydrocracker increases our ability to process crude oil from Fort McMurray and strengthens our refining capability in Alberta.

“It has been 17 months of hard work to complete this project. I’m proud of the collaboration that delivered this ambitious project safely, on time and on budget.”  

A fully owned business unit of Shell, Scotford facility employs around 1,300 staff along with 700 long-term contractors and 10,000 short-term contractors.