Gazprom Neft modernises refinery to boost 0.5% fuels output

Thanks to ongoing development programme at Omsk Refinery since 2008, Gazprom Neft said its transition to producing environmentally-friendly marine fuel has been a smooth process. The proprietary product of the refinery has been the high sulphur 180 centistoke marine fuel.

“Gazprom Neft is gradually implementing a comprehensive, integrated programme on the technological development of its refineries, targeted at increasing the production of ultra-environmentally-friendly oil products, and increasing refining depth,” said Anatoly Cherner, deputy ceo for logistics, processing and sales (downstream) at Gazprom Neft.

Three and a half kilometres of pipelines to transport marine fuel components to the mixing and shipment facility were installed at the Omsk Refinery in preparing for production of the 0.5% sulphur fuels. On-stream analysers installed at the mixing facility monitor product quality, in real time.

“Modernisation projects mean the company can respond to changes in the market quickly, respond to industry challenges successfully, and increase efficiency, throughout the entire value chain. Implementing the refinery modernisation programme and improving Gazprom Neft’s bunkering and logistics infrastructure means we can supply our clients with environmentally-friendly marine fuels meeting the latest international standards,” Cherner said.

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Sales of the IMO 2020 compliant fuels are undertaken by Gazpromneft-Marine Bunker, operator of the Gazprom Neft bunkering business. The first consignment of this environmentally-friendly fuel was undertaken onboard the Italian Ice Point tanker by a Gazpromneft-Omsk bunkering vessel.

The Gazprom Neft Omsk Refinery has been producing low sulphur marine fuels since 2017, with sulphur content as low as less than 0.1% to hybrid marine fuel of less than 0.5% sulphur content.

Gazprom Neft expects sales of its low sulphur marine fuels to exceed 1.5m tonnes in 2020.