24-05-2013

Bashneft commissions a new sulphuric acid alkylation complex

Bashneft has put a complex of sulphuric acid alkylation and sulphuric acid regeneration (SKA-ROSK) units into full operation at the Bashneft-Novoil Branch. An official ceremony held to mark the completion of a large-scale investment project was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich, the Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, the President of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSFC Sistema Vladimir Evtishenkov, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bashneft Felix Evtushenkov and the Company’s President Alexander Korsik.

The SKA-ROSK complex is a large-scale project aimed at upgrading Bashneft’s refining complex in Ufa; it was completed after JSFC Sistema gained control over the Company. The construction of the complex began in 2010 and was completed in December 2012. Investments in the project, including the construction of the SKA and ROSK units and other related facilities, exceeded 8 billion Roubles.

‘Today’s event is a vivid example showing how the development strategy of the Russian fuel and energy sector is put into practice; this strategy involves upgrading refining capacities, reducing power consumption and making production more environmentally friendly,’ the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich pointed out. ‘Commissioning a new complex at Novoil proves that Bashneft aims to maintain the leadership of Ufa refineries among Russia’s most technologically advanced fuel and energy enterprises in the future.’ ‘The implementation of the SKA-ROSK project along with the construction of two other units (a hydrogen production unit and a catalytic cracking gasoline hydrotreater) will enable Bashneft’s refining complex to switch over to producing Euro 5 fuels ahead of schedule, as early as in 2014,’ emphasized Bashneft’s President Alexander Korsik. ‘Along with improving safety and reliability of production processes, the project will significantly contribute to environmental protection, which is one of our major priorities.’

Note: Alkylate gasoline
(alkylate) produced by the sulphuric acid alkylation unit is used for manufacturing high-octane gasolines meeting Euro 5 emission standards in accordance with the Technical Regulations. After the new SKA unit with the capacity of 1,200 tonnes per day has been commissioned at the Bashneft-Novoil Branch, the Company will be able to increase the output of alkylate fourfold. The SKA unit uses the technology developed by STRATCO-DuPont (a U.S. company). Concentrated sulphuric acid (98%) is used as a catalyst in the process of alkylation.

ROSK, the other unit forming part of the complex, ensures that spent sulphuric acid is continuously regenerated, using the technology developed by Haldor Topsøe A/S (a Danish company). The regenerated sulphuric acid is reused at the SKA unit in a closed system; the process eliminates the need for external sources of acid and reduces environmental risks.

Over 20 contractors and more than 3,000 people were involved in construction of the SKA-ROSK complex. The complex was designed by OJSC Salavatneftekhimproekt. OJSC VNZM (Vostokneftezavodmontazh) was the general contractor employed to construct the SKA unit, while CJSC Neftekhimremont was responsible for constructing the ROSK unit. Equipment and materials were provided by companies from Bashkortostan and other regions of Russia, including OJSC Uraltechnostroy-Tuimazykhimmash, OJSC Bashneftekhimremservis, OJSC Salavatneftekhimmash, and UGBZ-1.