Total has begun the construction of two new units at its Lindsey Oil Refinery, near Immingham, in the UK.
The first is a hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) unit with a capacity of 1 million metric tonnes per year, while the second is a hydrogen production unit (SMR - Steam Methane Reformer) necessary for the desulphurisation process.
Representing an investment of around €300m, the project will, at its peak, employ 600 people at the refinery. Commissioning is scheduled for 2009.
The units will increase Total’s production of ultra low sulphur diesel, for which demand is growing steadily, and will substantially increase the refinery’s capacity to process less expensive sour crudes.
With a capacity of 10 million metric tonnes, the Lindsey Oil Refinery is Total’s main refinery in the UK, where the company is also a leading oil and gas producer.
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