Success story: 10 years of collaboration with an independent refiner

Close collaboration achieved step by step

Client : an independent refiner
Duration : 2006-on going

The success of a project often relies on strategy defined at the onset and an optimized configuration in order to select the best investment decision. This collaboration was achieved through several steps which are outlined below.

First, a study aiming to modernize the refinery

Objectives:

• Critical review of customer objectives,
• Scheme optimization to increase conversion and meet new product specifications,
• Environmental considerations by reducing emissions and assessing the use of natural gas as refinery fuel.

Results:

This study did not only form a solid design base for the industrial project but also provided a real strategic business model for the company.

Second, the crude opportunity assistance

Objectives:

• Evaluation of new feedstock in the refinery scheme and impacts on the crude distillation units/auxiliaries
• Impact of the crude oil price decrease on project economics

Results:

Axens maintained live contact with customers throughout the study to assist them during the project’s development phase in order to take advantage of new opportunities and to keep project fundamentals permanently updated.

Third, the environmental achievements

Objectives:

• Pre-Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study including modeling of refinery emissions
• Assessment of fired heaters and boiler revamp for natural gas firing
  Preliminary FEED to supply natural gas by pipeline to the refinery

Results:

Axens supported the project team to establish a clear diagnosis of refinery operations, as natural gas firing was identified as a key element in reducing refinery impacts on neighborhoods.

Fourth, the assistance for assessing the purchase of other existing assets

This customer decided to associate Axens to the preliminary evaluation of this facility after seeking a new business opportunity via the purchase of other existing assets.

Conclusion

Axens has built a deep knowledge of the customer and refinery context allowing to offer customized solutions, while optimizing schedule.

“Succeed Together” is one of Axens’ vision statements. The refinery and Axens project team have developed a successful partnership, based on mutual respect and confidence, technical competences, but also on the sharing of information and industrial experience.

Axens demonstrated its ability to be a single entry point, managing studies beyond the standard scope and finding reliable and highly skilled partners to solve specific issues.