Formosa starts Taiwan refinery turnaround

10 March 2008 08:02  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Formosa Petrochemical Corp (FPCC) shut down a crude distillation unit (CDU), a residual fluid catalytic cracker (RFCC) and other facilities at its 540,000 bbl/day Mailiao refinery in Taiwan on Monday for scheduled maintenance, a source close to the company said on Monday.

The No 1 180,000 bbl/day CDU and an associated No 1 80,000 bbl/day residual desulphurisation (RDS) unit were shut on 10 March for around 40-45 days of maintenance.

The source added that the No 1 84,000 bbl/day RFCC was also shut on 10 March, but its maintenance was scheduled to last 45-50 days.

In addition, the 500,000 tonne/year No 2 propylene extraction unit, linked to the No 1 RFCC, has also shut.

The refinery’s other propylene extraction unit which has a 350,000 tonne/year capacity will continue to operate albeit at a lower operating rate.

The No 1 RFCC, together with the No 2 84,000 bbl/day RFCC, provides feedstock for the two propylene recovery units at Mailiao which produce polymer grade propylene. However, usually only one of the propylene recovery units is online.

The Mailiao refinery is the sixth largest in Asia, and the only privately owned one in Taiwan. Oil products from the refinery are sold both in the domestic and regional markets.

By: James Dennis
+65 6780 4359

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