Today's Refining Hotline Headlines

North America
Valero, on February 23, shut down the 77,000-barrel-per-day (BBL/d) Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) at its 144,000-BBL/d refinery in Benicia, California, due to operational issues. The shutdown is expected to advance plans for a previously reported turnaround scheduled for September 2025.

International
Dangote Industries Limited delayed the restart of the lone crude unit at its 650,000-BBL/d Lekki Refinery in Nigeria. The refinery was forced to halt the trial run, which was initiated on January 12, due to a shortage of crude. The trial run now is expected to recommence by early April, while the commercial operations are slated to begin by the end of April. IIR will continue to monitor for any additional updates.

Saudi Aramco delayed the restart of five units at its 550,000-BBL/d Ras Tanura Refinery in Saudi Arabia due to additional repairs needed. The units now are expected to be operational by March 1.

Idemitsu Kosan Company, on March 2, expects to restart two units at its 160,000-BBL/d Aichi Refinery in Japan: the 60,000-BBL/d Residual Hydrotreater and 50,000-BBL/d FCCU.

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