Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) revealed plans to expand the capacity of its ENOC Processing Company (EPCL) Jebel Ali facility by 50 per cent. The expansion project comprises of three separate packages at an estimated value in excess of US$1billion. The expected date for commercial production is Q4 of 2019, the company said in its press release.
The main package of the project will add a new Condensate processing train to the existing facility, expanding its daily capacity to 210,000 barrels, up from its existing current 140,000 barrels per day. Additional processing units will also be added. These include a new LPG/naphta hydrotreater, an isomerisation unit, kerosene hydrotreater, and a diesel hydrotreater. These units will ensure that the refinery’s fuel products, which include gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, are capable of meeting expanding domestic fuel demand, as well as for export purposes.
In response to the UAE’s drive towards clean energy, the expanded EPCL facility will manufacture products for the local market meeting stringent Euro 5 standards.
Technip, which was contractor on the Jebel Ali refinery from 1997 to 1999, has been awarded a large contract, covering the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) for the design and construction of the processing unit. The Group’s operating Center in Rome, Italy, will manage the project. . The Front End Engineering Design was carried out by KBR. The licensor technology has been provided by UOP, Axens, and KT.
The subsequent two packages of the project will include the construction of storage tanks and a 31,000 square foot warehouse. Suitable Contractors are currently being short listed prior to the tendering process for both packages.
EPCL over the years has been continuously expanding and improving its production to cater for the ever growing needs of the local and international markets. It was first commissioned in 1999, starting with two Condensate distillation units with a name plate capacity of 60,000 bblsd each, four MEROX units, and storage capacity of 1,283 thousand cubic meters.
In 2010, and at a cost of US $850 million investment, EPCL commissioned additional units for the production of Low Sulfur Naphtha, and Reformate. Both critical components for the blending of gasoline, and as a feedstock to Petro-chemical plants. Subsequent to this, in 2012, EPCL completed a debottlenecking project increasing capacity to 140,000 barrels per day.
ENOC is constantly focusing on expanding capacities in order to support domestic energy demand in alignment with Dubai Plan 2021 and in preparation for EXPO 2020. Along with the development of its refinery capabilities, the company will also extend its service station portfolio by 50 per cent by 2020.
The facility also includes an ISO 9001:2015/ ISO 17025:2005 certified laboratory, and is the only accredited organisation in the Middle East that is capable of carrying out critical tests for gasoline and jet fuel products.
About ENOC:
Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC) is a leading integrated global oil and gas player operating across the energy sector value chain. A wholly owned company of the Government of Dubai, ENOC Group offers a diverse portfolio of assets operating across five business segments: Supply, Trading and Processing, Terminals, Marketing, Retail and Exploration and Production. Servicing thousands of customers across 60 markets, the Group employs a workforce of over 9,000 employees and is deploying its world-class customer service, latest innovations and technologies and best practices towards the UAE’s social and economic development.