By 2016 RORC will fully switch to the production of Euro-5 standard fuel, which contains five times less sulphur compounds as compared to the previous emission class fuel. The free sulphur recovery unit will allow meeting the growing demand for hydrogen sulphide utilization and will enable additional utilization of 6 mcm of hydrogen sulphide per hour (over 48.2 mmcm/yr).
Currently 49% of gasoline and 50% of diesel fuel produced by RORC meet the highest Euro-5 environmental standard. To remove sulphur compounds from petroleum products the refinery operates two sulphuric acid production units, which allow the utilization of 8 mcm of hydrogen sulphide per hour (ca. 64.2 mmcm/yr).
In 2012-2015, TNK-BP's total investment in refinery upgrades will amount to $2.5 bn.
"TNK-BP continuously improves the quality of petroleum products and the environmental production profile. Construction of this unit is a strategic project of the refinery and a prerequisite for full transfer to the production of Euro-5 standard products," said Anatoly Skoromets, RORC General Director.