Azerbaijan, Baku, April 10 / Trend E.Ismayilov /
In May the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Foster Wheeler will sign a contract for the reconstruction and modernization of primary processing installation at the refinery named after Heydar Aliyev, the SOCAR vice-president for processing, David Mammadov, said during a forum dedicated to the creation of a new complex for oil and gas processing and production of petrochemical products in Azerbaijan in Baku on Tuesday.
"Works on the reconstruction and modernization are required to improve the quality and quantity of the installation, as well as reduce production costs. Project will be implemented during 2012-2014," said Mammadov.
SOCAR is also preparing to sign a contract with the UOP company (a subsidiary of Honeywell international group - a world leader in automation) to increase the capacity of the catalytic cracking from two million tons to three million tons. This program also covers 2012-2014.
Mammadov said the company has plans to improve the quality and quantity of production of diesel fuel at the refinery named after Heydar Aliyev. These works are scheduled for 2012-2013.
"Modernization has also been carried out previously at the Azneftyag refinery," SOCAR vice-president said.
Mammadov stressed Azerbaijan in recent years has observed a significant increase in the consumption of light oil products, and in particular gasoline. In 2011, the increase in gasoline consumption compared to 2010 was 11 percent. Of the total amount of light oil products consumed by vehicles in the country, 55-60 per cent fall to petrol.
"Given the growth in consumption of petroleum products in the country, increasing ecological requirements to oil products and a large amount of funds needed for modernization of existing enterprises for processing of oil, gas and chemical production, it was decided to build a new complex. Before the complete commissioning of the complex, it's planned to carry out on the existing processing plants modernization works in order to meet the needs of the country for petroleum exports, and ensure their export," said Mammadov.
First vice-president (region B) of Technip Marco Villa said a big increase in consumption of petroleum products by 2035 is projected, and therefore the development of oil refining, upgrading of existing and creation of new businesses is a necessity.
He said that Technip has extensive experience and practical achievements in the fields of processing of oil, gas and production of petrochemical goods.