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Expansion will produce EHCTM Group II base stocks and
ultra-low sulfur diesel
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Investment builds on recent Baytown and Singapore projects providing
global EHC Group II availability
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Project underscores ExxonMobil’s disciplined approach to investing at
advantaged refineries
ExxonMobil
will expand the hydrocracker unit at its Rotterdam refinery to upgrade
heavier byproducts into cleaner, higher-value finished products,
including EHCTM Group II base stocks and ultra-low sulfur
diesel, to meet growing global market demand.
The refinery, operated by Esso Nederland BV, will use ExxonMobil’s
proprietary hydrocracking technology and be the first to produce EHC
Group II base stocks in Europe. Base stocks are the primary ingredients
used in the production of high-quality lubricating oils and greases.
Group II base stocks are higher in performance, resulting in advantages
in many lubricant and process oil applications.
“This investment demonstrates ExxonMobil’s long-term view and
disciplined investment approach,” said Jerry Wascom, president of
ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company. “Despite a challenging industry
environment, we are committed to our long-term strategy of investing in
projects in advantaged locations where we can continue to increase
competitiveness and profitability.”
ExxonMobil’s Rotterdam refinery, one of the most energy efficient in
Europe, plays a key role in the region and marketplace as a manufacturer
of low-sulfur petroleum products and chemical feedstocks. Following the
expansion, the hydrocracking process will use proprietary catalysts
applied in a unique refinery process configuration to efficiently
produce both high-quality base stocks and ultra-low sulfur diesel.
The base stocks that will be produced at Rotterdam are designed to help
lubricant blenders achieve greater formulation flexibility and simplify
global qualification testing. ExxonMobil’s EHC product line will enable
customers to cost-effectively blend a broad range of finished lubricants
to meet evolving industry requirements.
“This investment underscores our commitment to provide high-quality base
stocks in Europe and follows previously announced expansions at
ExxonMobil’s Baytown, Texas and Jurong Singapore refineries this past
year,” said Loic Vivier, vice president of Wholesale & Specialties for
ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants. “Combined with ExxonMobil’s existing
manufacturing capabilities, this project will enable us to offer a
global EHC Group II base stocks product offering to meet current and
future customer needs.”
The Rotterdam hydrocracker project, coupled with the refinery’s
advantageous location in an integrated petrochemical cluster, will
strengthen the refinery’s position as a leader in the global refining
industry.
The project’s environmental impact assessment has been approved and the
site-permitting process is being finalized. Permits are expected in
early 2016. Pending receipt of permits, construction is scheduled to
begin in 2016 and unit startup is targeted for 2018.
About ExxonMobil Refining & Supply
ExxonMobil Refining & Supply and its stewarded affiliates operate a
global network of reliable and efficient manufacturing plants,
transportation systems and distribution centers that provide a range of
fuels, lubricants and other high-value products and feedstocks to our
customers around the world.
About ExxonMobil Basestocks
ExxonMobil is one of the world’s largest suppliers of base stocks and
leading licensors of base stock technology and produces Group I, Group
II/II+ and synthetic base stocks at strategically located refineries
around the world. ExxonMobil’s base stocks are designed to provide
enhanced performance capabilities in applications ranging from engine
oils to industrial lubricants. ExxonMobil’s CORE Group I and EHCTM
Group II slates meet more than 90 percent of the industry’s base stock
needs and offer broader blend coverage and the potential to reduce
supply chain complexity while meeting evolving industry requirements.
For more information, visit: www.exxonmobil.com/basestocks
About ExxonMobil Rotterdam Refinery
ExxonMobil’s modern Rotterdam refinery has a daily throughput of 190,000
barrels and plays a key role in the region and marketplace as a
manufacturer of low-sulfur petroleum products and feedstocks for the
chemical industry. The refinery was built in the late 1950s and was the
largest ever foreign investment at that time. A 1980s Flexicoker
investment was the largest ever industrial investment in the Netherlands
at that time.
About ExxonMobil in the Netherlands
ExxonMobil’s presence in the Netherlands dates back to 1891, making it
the country’s oldest oil and gas company. ExxonMobil is also the oldest
U.S. industrial company in the Netherlands. ExxonMobil now has several
manufacturing sites in the Rotterdam area, including a refinery, a lubes
plant and four petrochemical plants. Its Esso fuels are sold to branded
wholesalers and resellers. For more information visit www.exxonmobil.nl
or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/exxonmobil_nl.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Statements of future events or conditions in this
release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including
project plans, schedules, costs, and capacities and future market
positioning could differ materially due to changes in market conditions
affecting the oil and gas industry or long-term price levels for oil,
gas and refined products; political or regulatory developments,
including the granting of required permits and any changes in
environmental laws; the occurrence and duration of economic recessions;
the actions of competitors; technical or operating factors; and other
factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results"
in the Investor Information section of our website (www.exxonmobil.com)
and in Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K. The term "project" as used
in this release does not necessarily have the same meaning as under any
government payment transparency reporting rules.
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