NorthWest Refining's Sturgeon Refinery
ALBERTA NEW REFINERIES?
Mike Priaro, P. Eng.
First uploaded Jan. 7, 2019
On Dec. 11, 2018 the Alberta government said it was accepting submissions until Feb. 8, 2019 for proposals to build new refineries, or expansions of existing refineries.
The goal: free up space on export pipelines by shipping high-value gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, marine fuel, and intermediate refinery products such as isooctane and vacuum gasoil, instead of low-value bitumen diluted with expensive condensate.
In 2018, surging crude production in Alberta exceeded space on export pipelines by over 300,000 bbl/d sending dilbit to record low prices relative to world benchmarks.
The Trans Mountain pipeline already batches motor fuels to the B.C. Lower Mainland while Enbridge’s Line 1 ships motor fuels to Gretna, MB.
—The Alberta First Nations Energy Centre has proposed a C$8.5 billion bitumen upgrading and petrochemical refining facility near Edmonton to process 167,000 bbl/d of dilbit.
—North West Refining is looking at an 80,000 bbl/d Phase Two expansion of its Sturgeon Refinery. An 80,000 bbl/d Third Phase is also planned. Both are shovel-ready.
—Eagle Spirit has discussed adding an upgrader/refinery to its energy corridor proposal to reduce or eliminate the amount of dilbit to be shipped to Prince Rupert.
Hopefully Canadian producers Suncor, CNRL and Cenovus also submit proposals for new or expanded refineries and/or upgraders.
Mike Priaro, P. Eng.
Calgary
403-281-2156
