Nippon Oil to build next-generation refinery

Nippon Oil Corp. will construct a pilot next-generation oil refinery that will be producing such chemical materials as propylene from heavy residue. Nippon Oil hopes to launch commercial operations by 2010 at its Mizushima facility in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. Unlike existing refineries, the new facility will be able to refine heavy oil and high-octane gasoline, boosting propylene refining efficiency. The company will build a new fluid catalytic cracking unit that will be able to process 3,000 barrels of heavy oil a day. Nippon Oil aims to establish technologies to efficiently refine heavy residue or asphalt. (July 6, 2007)