As part of its expansion plans, Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Co (Takreer) is considering a revamp of the hydrocracking complex at its Ruwais refinery, official sources said. The additional capacity would increase refining margins and revenues from Takreer's refining business. The UK's Universal Oil Products (UOP) has been appointed by Takreer to conduct the feasibility study, an official added.

Current capacity of the complex is 27,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd). The enhanced capacity has yet to be determined. "The study is planned to be completed by the middle of this year. The actual implementation of the revamp project will depend upon the outcome."

UOP is the process licensor of the hydrocracking technology, used to upgrade low value vacuum gas oils to high value products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), naphtha, jet fuel and gas oil. Due to the process chemistry involved, the products are low in contaminants.

The hydrocracking complex at Takreer's Ruwais refinery comprises vacuum distillation, hydrogen production and HC Unibon, sour water stripping, hydrogen sulfide removal and sulphur recovery units.

In January, Takreer announced plans to set up a base oil refinery that will have a capacity of 300,000 tonnes per annum. The plant will be designed to produce various grades of base oils used for preparing lube oils. The project was announced following the completion of a two-stage study completed by Takreer.