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UOP in Egypt’s US$300mn refinery expansion deal

Petrochemicals

UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, will supply technology and equipment to Egypt’s Alexandria National Refining & Petrochemicals Company (ANRPC)

As part of a US$300mn, multi-year project to expand an existing gasoline production facility in Alexandria, ANRPC will add a second UOP continuous catalytic reforming (CCR) Platforming process unit, including a modular CCR section to produce high-quality reformate, which is used to produce high-octane, low-sulphur gasoline. ANRPC installed the first UOP CCR unit at the site in 2001.

Egypt became a net importer of gasoline in 2008, as domestic supply has not kept up with demand, which has grown by an average of three per cent annually over the past 10 years. The expansion of the Alexandria facility is aimed at meeting the growing domestic demand for high-octane gasoline.

“This expansion is critical as it will significantly reduce the amount of high-octane gasoline imported by Egypt,” said Ahmed Abo El Rooh, chairman of ANRPC. “We selected a second continuous catalytic reforming unit from Honeywell UOP, which will be delivered in modular form, to help ensure reliable operations and the shortest possible project schedule.”

Mike Millard, V-P and general manager of Honeywell UOP’s process technology and equipment business, said, “A second CCR Platforming process unit will help Egypt meet its own growing demand for fuel and provide cleaner-burning, high-octane fuels to address air quality issues in large cities such as Cairo.”

UOP modular equipment is appropriate for remote locations, short project timelines and regions with limited resources. It is designed to reduce installation time and can result in earlier start up, further improving project economics.