PETROPERÚ started up the Primary Distilling Unit of the New Talara Refinery

PETROPERÚ continues with the gradual and progressive start-up testing process of the New Talara Refinery, with a view to putting it into operation in the last quarter of this year as scheduled, to fulfill its strategic role of supplying the country with clean fuels. and of quality.

As part of this process, which began on April 12 and is carried out by PETROPERÚ together with its main contractors and licensors with worldwide experience, the start-up of the Primary Distillation Unit began, the starting point for the refining process and the production of diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel and residuals.

The modern distillation process unit began its guarantee tests, with the participation of operational personnel in the field and a panel from the Control Room, who work in shifts 24 hours a day, under the direction of technicians from the Técnicas Assembled, contractor in charge. The guarantee tests consist of evaluating the performance of the unit considering the conditions of the operation and the quality of the products obtained.

To date, the guarantee tests have been successfully passed at 50% capacity of the Primary Distillation Unit (the processing capacity of the new refining complex is 95,000 barrels of crude oil), obtaining distillates in optimal specifications and with conditions stable and safe operation.

Additionally, PETROPERÚ has received from its main contractors the following plants and/or units, after having completed the corresponding guarantee tests:  

• Cooling water circuit (STA)
• Electric transmission line (IE4)
• Closed circuit cooling (CWC)
• Dock 2 (MU2)
• Fuel gas system (SCR)
• Condensate recovery (RCO)
• Caustic soda plant (CAF)
• Nitrogen plant (NIS)
• Pier 1 (MU1)
• Seawater demineralization (DM2)
• Reverse Osmosis (OR2)
• Simulation room for training (OTS)

On the other hand, it is important to mention that PETROPERÚ will soon receive units such as: (1) flare system (FB2), (2) firefighting system (FWS), (3) seawater intake system, (4) effluent (SWO), (5) effluent treatment system (WWS).

Likewise, the Hydrogen Production (PHP), Catalytic Reformation or Octane Increaser (RCA) units are in the commissioning stage (stage in which the equipment is tested before the unit starts up) and the Desulfurization units for diesel and gasoline (HTD, HTN, HTF) and the Flexicoking unit.

The activities are carried out with the attendance of the staff of the EPC Técnicas Reunidas and Cobra contractor companies; the different licensors or technologists such as Honeywell, Axens, UOP, Haldor, Exxon Mobil among others; the international CPT supervisory consortium; the Consortium specialized in ODI starting and the different manufacturers of the multiple equipment.

PETROPERÚ's new refining complex, which replaces the emblematic Talara Refinery and its 105-year history, has 16 process units and five packages of auxiliary units and complementary services, two liquid loading docks and 21 new storage tanks, being one of the most modern deep conversion refineries on the South Pacific coast. When it goes into operation, it will produce fuels with up to 50 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur that will help preserve air quality and the health of Peruvians.

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