Shell Canada Starts Up Hydrotreater Focus on Low Sulfur Gasoline Regulations

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources; Houston, Texas). Shell Canada Products (Calgary, Alberta) has completed construction and began operation on December 20, 2002 of a $50 million gasoline hydrotreating unit at its Sarnia, Ontario refinery. The new unit, which has a daily capacity of 20,000 barrels per day, will produce low sulfur gasoline (30 parts per million) in accordance with new environmental guidelines.

Bantrel Incorporated (Calgary, Alberta) and Colt Engineering Corporation (Calgary, Alberta) combined forces to provide engineering and construction management services for the new unit. Technology was provided by Axens North America (Princeton, New Jersey) using their Prime G process.

The next hurdle for the refining industry will be the production of ultra low sulfur diesel. Shell is currently evaluating future environmental compliance projects, which include a joint venture to construct a new diesel hydrotreater at Suncor's Sarnia, Ontario 80,000 barrel per day refinery. Shell is also considering the addition of hydrotreaters at its other two refineries located in Canada. Preliminary costs could reach as high as $200 million and if approved, construction could commence as early as 2004.