ENOC announces $1bn expansion of Jebel Ali refinery

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) has announced plans to expand the capacity of its refinery in Jebel Ali by 50 per cent, with the project estimated to cost $1bn.

The expected date for commercial production is Q4 2019, a statement said.

The expansion project at the ENOC Processing Company (EPCL) facility comprises of three separate packages.

The main package will add a new condensate processing train to the existing facility, expanding its daily capacity to 210,000 barrels, up from its existing current 140,000 barrels per day.

Additional processing units will also be added, including a new LPG/naphta hydrotreater, an isomerisation unit, kerosene hydrotreater, and a diesel hydrotreater.

“These units will ensure that the refinery’s fuel products, which include gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, are capable of meeting expanding domestic fuel demand, as well as for export purposes,” ENOC said.

Technip, which was contractor on the Jebel Ali refinery from 1997 to 1999, has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract (EPC) for the design and construction of the processing unit.

The company’s operating centre in Rome will manage the project.

The front end engineering design was carried out by KBR and the licensor technology is being provided by UOP, Axens, and KT.

The subsequent two packages of the project will include the construction of storage tanks and a 31,000 square foot warehouse.

Contractors are currently being shortlisted prior to the tendering process for both packages, the statement added.

Saif Humaid Al Falasi, group CEO of ENOC said: “The UAE’s energy demand is growing at about 9 per cent a year. An emerging aviation sector and the evolving logistics needs of numerous businesses invoke a strategy that demands foresight.

“The refinery expansion is part of this strategy to develop enabling infrastructure that fuels the nation’s growth.”

Originally commissioned in 1999, the Jebel Ali facility’s capacity was first increased in 2010 with an investment of $850m. In 2012, EPCL completed a debottlenecking project, further increasing capacity to 140,000 barrels per day.

Along with developing its refinery capabilities, ENOC is also investing in expanding its service station portfolio by 50 per cent by 2020.

Expansion plans include the ongoing renovation of two service stations in Dubai Internet City and Oud Metha and the construction of 54 more stations in Dubai.

Read more: ENOC to open 54 new stations in Dubai by 2020