Processing Scheme for Astrakhan Fuel Oil
Gazprom neftekhim Salavat has developed and implemented a recycling scheme for Astrakhan fuel oil
Residue obtained at Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant has been involved in the company operating process
The tax maneuver performed by the government contributed to an increase of the duties on the shipment of heavy petroleum products. It stimulated the oil companies to increase the oil refining depth. For instance, Gazprom neftekhim Salavat in conjunction with Gazprom Department 614 conducted activities to optimize the feedstock basket of the Oil Refinery. To increase the production of light petroleum products and reduce the production of heavy petroleum products it was decided to involve fuel oil 100 GKT, gas condensate residual fuel oil obtained at Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant, in the operating process.
Due to the fact that Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant has no production capacity to process fuel oil which has a high potential content of light petroleum products, it was shipped as a final product for bunkering. Gazprom neftekhim Salavat has the production facilities qualified to process such heavy oil residues. In light of available capacity the Company departments together with Gazprom Department 614 has developed and implemented a scheme for receiving and processing Astrakhan fuel oil.
Astrakhan fuel oil has been received by the operators of the Oil Refinery
Processing of a new product in conjunction with the previously performed activities allowed Gazprom neftekhim Salavat to reduce the supply and processing of the West Siberian oil and to substantially increase the refining depth. Thus, in 2016 the refining depth increased to 87.2 %. In 2014 this value was 79 %, in 2015 — 84.4%. In 2017 the value is expected to achieve 91.3 %.
«In addition, the lower cost of fuel oil in relation to oil, as well as the high potential content of gas oil fractions help the company to reach the desired results with respect to development of the target products, to reduce the feedstock costs and boost the profit», — says Azamat Khabibullin, Technical Director of the Oil Refinery.
Processing of heavy residues obtained by Gazprom group companies at the industrial site of Gazprom neftekhim Salavat allows to improve the efficiency and profitability of the Company, as well as to minimize the capital costs of Gazprom for construction of the facilities designed for deep refining.