Sinopec Launches Cangzhou Refinery Upgrade Project

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The upgrade project of China National Petroleum and Chemical Corporation's (NYSE:SNP) (Sinopec) (Beijing) Cangzhou Refinery formally started on March 26. The project includes technology upgrades of its 1.2 million-ton-per-year coking unit and the construction of a new 900,000-ton-per-year catalytic gasoline absorption desulfurization facility, an 80,000-ton-per-year benzene extraction project and auxiliary facilities.

According to the master construction plan, the catalytic gasoline absorption desulfurization facility and the benzene extraction project are to be completed by the end of this year. The coking unit's technology upgrade is scheduled to be completed in 2010 after Cangzhou Refinery's facility overhaul.

Upon completion of this project, Cangzhou Refinery's capacity will reach 75,000 barrels per day. The quality of gasoline produced from this refinery will meet Chinese National III standards, and Cangzhou Refinery's capacity to process heavy oil will also increase. Presently, the upgrading project is being carried out according to plans without incident.

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