DMEA: Trial operations begin at Duqm refinery

Trial operations began last week at the crude distillation unit (CDU) at Oman’s new Duqm refinery.

The launch brings the 230,000-barrel per day (bpd) facility closer to full operations, with more to follow on its hydrocracking and petroleum coking units. Upon completion, the facility will produce naphtha, LPG, jet fuel, diesel, sulphur and petroleum coke.

It is being developed by project company Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company (QQ8) – a joint venture (JV) between Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI).

OQ’s CEO for downstream and OQ8 Chairman Hilal bin Ali Al Kharusi said: “The trial operation of Duqm Refinery is a development that moves forward according to a set plan. The operation goes through several phases before reaching maximum capacity, followed by commercial operation, which is expected by the end of this year.”

He continued: “All support units in the project, which has reached a completion rate of 97.5 per cent, have been operated, taking into account the priority of safe operation for all units.”

Al Kharusi added: “The company has carried out several exercises to evaluate the efficiency of the integrated emergency response plan, the emergency handling system, in addition to evaluating firefighting, rescue, containment of hazardous materials and the followed security procedures.”