The shutdown was taken for the tie-in of new units for the refinery’s phase 1 expansion and the revamp of three major units – the crude distillation unit, the fluidised catalytic cracking unit and the sulphur recovery unit – relating to the expansion.
The phase I expansion, which has a capital cost of $1.85bn, will increase the refinery capacity from 300,000 barrels per day (bbl/day) to 375,000bbl/day.
It will also increase the complexity of the refinery from 6.1 to 11.8, allowing for the processing of a much higher percentage of heavy and ultra heavy crude oils and the production of a higher value product mix, the company said.
According to the company, the expansion will be mechanically complete by year end and fully ramped up and stabilised by the end of March 2012.
Essar Energy CEO Naresh Nayyar said the completion of the phase I expansion will be a major value driver for the company, increasing gross refining margins, cash flow and profitability.
