Introduction of new technologies has significantly reduced the content of sulfur, benzene and hydrocarbon aromatics, i.e. the primary environmental pollutants, in grade Ai-92 gasoline.
Vasiliy Zakharov, Chief Engineer at the Saratov Refinery, commented on the production launch: “The new Euro-4 product will substantially reduce negative environmental impact of motor vehicles and extend engine operating lifetime. The Refinery is already prepared to start producing new and very environmentally friendly Euro-5 compliant fuel. 2012 will see mass production of new generation gasoline”.
Within the next two years the Refinery will commission an isomerization unit, complete refurbishment of the diesel hydrotreatment facility and implement a number of other projects valued at a total of over $300 mil.
TNK-BP is Russia’s third largest oil company owned equally by BP and AAR (Alfa Group, Access Industries, Renova) consortium. TNK-BP also owns close to 50% in a Russian oil and gas company Slavneft. TNK-BP accounts for approximately 16% of Russia's oil production (including its share of Slavneft). Total proved reserves irrespective of license periods under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidelines amounted to 8.794 billion boe as of December 31, 2010.
OJSC Saratov Oil Refinery was founded on April 27, 1934, and is a member of the TNK-BP Group since 2003. The Refinery manufactures over 20 product types: various nonleaded gasoline, diesel, fuel oil of all major types, bitumen, vacuum gasoil, technical sulfur, and naphtha. The Saratov Refinery’s throughput in the first half of 2011 was 3.4 mil tons of crude oil (compared to 3.2 mil. tons in the first half of 2010).