SOCAR, Axens ink accord for catalytic cracking unit

By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) and Axens have signed a license and project agreement for a catalytic cracking unit, as part of the modernization of the Heydar Aliyev refinery.

The document was signed by SOCAR's Heydar Aliyev oil refinery director Bakhtiyar Mammadov and Axens licensing sales director Fabien Lundy. 

Speaking at the event, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev stated that the reconstruction and modernization of the Heydar Aliyev refinery continue successfully.

Noting that a number of new facilities are being designed and built at the plant as part of the project, he added that a lot of work has begun to obtain licenses for these facilities and provide design services.

"Based on the results of a study and detailed evaluation of the catalytic cracking unit, Axens was selected as the licensee. According to the agreements signed today [January 17], preparation of the technological project of the facility will soon begin," he said.

In turn, Axens's CEO Jean Sentenac emphasized that the company will do its best to complete the design work in a short time with high quality.

"We believe that after the construction of the new facility, the plant's operation will become more sustainable and efficient," he said.

It should be noted that SOCAR and Axens have a long-term cooperation. Currently, as part of the Heydar Aliyev refinery reconstruction project, diesel hydrotreatment, gasoline hydrotreatment and C4 (butane-butylene) hydrogenation units, as well as hydrotreatment and C3 (propane-propylene) fractionation as part of the reconstruction of Azerkimya Refinery, naphtha hydrotreating, diesel hydrotreating and kerosene hydrotreating units at STAR Refinery were built under license from Axens.

In order to contribute to the successful implementation of modernization projects at the Heydar Aliyev refinery, as well as the operation of licensed technological facilities, engineers participate in training sessions organized by Axens within the framework of cooperation between SOCAR and Axens. These training sessions are aimed at developing the knowledge and skills of specialists in the field of energy efficiency and sustainable development.