ISLAMABAD: Attock Refinery Limited (ATRL), a subsidiary of Attock Oil Company Limited, is planning to establish a new 50,000-barrels-per-day (BPD) deep-conversion refinery, subject to the availability of sustainable supplies of local crude from northern fields and necessary government support.
The company disclosed the plan in its annual report, highlighting the project as part of its broader strategy to expand capacity and upgrade product quality.
“ARL has plans to install a state-of-the-art new deep conversion refinery of 50,000 BPD capacity, if sustainable enhanced supplies of local crude from the North become available and necessary support is received from the government side,” the company said.
ATRL said one of the major challenges facing the refinery is upgrading its plants to produce fuels meeting Euro-V specifications. The company has therefore developed a strategic expansion plan aimed at improving the quality and specifications of its petroleum products.
As part of the planned upgradation, the refinery intends to install a Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR) Unit, which is expected to increase petrol (PMG) production and improve the petrol pool octane to Euro-V standards. The project would also eliminate the need for octane-boosting additives and reduce reliance on naphtha exports.
The company also plans to revamp its Diesel Hydrodesulphurisation (DHDS) Unit, which is expected to bring the sulphur content of high-speed diesel (HSD) down to 10 parts per million (ppm).
According to the annual report, ATRL has already completed Licensor Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies for the CCR installation and DHDS revamp under its planned upgradation project, with an estimated cost of around $600 million.
The company has also awarded the contract for Project FEED and Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services to Studi Technologie Progetti SpA (STP), Italy.
ATRL said FEED-related transmittals are currently being exchanged with STP, covering multiple disciplines including management, process, mechanical, civil, electrical and instrumentation. The company said approximately 90% of the project FEED package has been completed.
The refinery further reported that it contributed around Rs156 billion to the national exchequer during the year through taxes and duties. It also achieved foreign exchange savings of approximately $167.13 million through import substitution and exports.
Attock Refinery Limited was incorporated in Pakistan on November 8, 1978, as a private limited company and converted into a public company on June 26, 1979. The company is principally engaged in the refining of crude oil.
