Exxon Mobil Corp. has made a final investment decision to expand its integrated manufacturing complex in Singapore. According to ExxonMobil, the multibillion dollar expansion will enable the facility to convert fuel oil and other bottom-of-the-barrel crude products into higher-value lube base stocks and distillates. The demand for high-quality fuels and lubricants will increase as the global economy expands. By using a combination of proprietary catalyst and process technologies, ExxonMobil will increase the site’s competitiveness and help meet growing demand for high-performance lubricants and cleaner fuels.
The integrated Singapore complex includes:
• The approximately 592,000-barrel per day (bpd) Singapore Refinery
• The Singapore Chemical Plant, with an ethylene capacity of 1.9 million tons per year
• A lubricant plant
• A fuels terminal and liquefied petroleum gas bottling plant.
The project announced will add 20,000 bpd of ExxonMobil Group II base stocks capacity and 48,000 bpd of capacity to produce lower-sulfur fuels, ExxonMobil stated. The project also applies new chemicals technologies and leverages integration across the crude cracker and refining complex to further enhance the competitiveness of crude cracking. ExxonMobil also reported that it has already launched engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities for the project. The supermajor noted that it has awarded EPC contracts to Tecnicas Reunidas for the new process units and Wood Group for interconnecting pipelines and supporting infrastructure facilities. Also, the company stated that it is working on a long-term commercial agreement with Linde to upgrade residue from the site to hydrogen and synthesis gas. Construction on the Singapore expansion should begin during the second half of this year, and startup is anticipated in 2023.