Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.4
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Baku Oil Refinery named after Heydar Aliyev has suspended operation for the planned maintenance of its units, Ibrahim Ahmadov, deputy head of the public relations and events department at Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR, told Trend.
Ahmadov said the refinery will not be operating from Oct.4 to Oct.24, adding that every year SOCAR suspends the operation of Baku Oil Refinery for scheduled maintenance.
“The primary processing unit will be the first one to suspend its work, followed by the gradual shut-down of the units for production of intermediates. Only the primary processing unit ELOU AVT -2, located on the territory of the former Azerneftyag will continue to operate and produce diesel and kerosene. It will meet the country’s demand for diesel alongside with the remaining volumes in storages,” said Ahmadov.
He pointed out that during the period of maintenance, it is planned to import 120,000 tons (or less) of AI-92 gasoline, of which 60,000 tons will come from Russia and the remaining 60,000 tons will be delivered from the Black Sea region.
Ahmadov noted that Azerikimya production union has already suspended its operation.
Baku Refinery will increase its capacity from six to eight million tons of products per year after the modernization, while its service life will be extended till 2040.
ELOU AVT unit, operating at Baku Refinery, was built in 1976.
The modernization cost is estimated at approximately $2.2 billion.
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