Alon noted that the crude unit, reformer unit, distillate hydrotreater and the jet fuel hydrotreater unit have all come on line. The refinery has reportedly returned to the first stage of operation, producing gasoline, diesel and asphalt, as was anticipated by Alon in March 2008.
Alon has begun the production and sale of non-modified grades of asphalt via truck and rail car. The company expects to begin production and sale of rubber modified grades of asphalt, excluding ground tire grades, by May 15, 2008, and ground tire rubber grades by June 15, 2008.
The company has also inspected virtually all the equipment in the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) and has found no major long-lead equipment that will require replacement.
Jeff Morris, Alon’s president and CEO, said: We are pleased with the progress we have made so far in returning the Big Spring refinery to full production. We remain ahead of our own internal schedule, and although we do not yet have a firm schedule for repairing and re-starting the FCCU, our goal remains to have it operational by mid-July 2008.
