Essar commissions ISOM unit

A new 0.7 million metric ton per annum (MMTPA) isomerization unit has been commissioned by Essar Oil Ltd. at its Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, India. The new unit is one of the biggest ISOM units in the world. Essar says it was commissioned in only 32 days. The industry average is 50 to 55 days. When the Phase I expansion is complete, the refinery’s current capacity of 14.7 MMTPA will be increased to 18 MMTPA, with an increase in complexity from 6.1 to 11.8. Essar is also undertaking an optimization program that is aimed at increasing capacity further to 20 MMTPA by September 2012. The capacity expansion, complexity enhancement and optimization program will enable the Vadinar refinery to process about 87% ultra-heavy crude oil, which cost less than light crude oil. The Vadinar refinery will also have the capability to produce higher value products such as petroleum coke, once the programs are complete. (December 9, 2011)