Published 23rd January, 2012
Sinopec has closed its largest oil refinery for major maintenance.
China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec) is closing its largest refinery for 45 days of maintenance, as of mid February. The shut down includes closure of a 160,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) crude oil unit, a 1.8 million ton-per-year (tpy) catalytic cracking unit, a 1.5 million tpy coking unit and a 1.2 million tpy continuous reforming unit for extensive repairs.
The closure will not only result in Sinpoec's overall output falling by 7.2 million barrels, but will also lower crude runs to around 420,000 bpd from a record high of 439,700 bpd last year. In 2011, Sinopec's runs increased by 3.8%, however the closure of its largest refinery may impede further records this year although it is likely to enhance the company's long-term production.