Shell licenses technology to Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC)

Under the agreement, Shell will license key technologies to the refinery to increase its conversion capacity and distillation performance including:

• Soaker visbreaking technology – designed to reduce the quantity of residual oil produced in the distillation of crude oil and to increase the yield of more valuable distillates, in this case bitumen by the Khabarovsk refinery.
• Deep flash high-vacuum distillation technology – designed to maximise the recovery of valuable distillates and reduce the energy consumption of the units. This technology has developed considerably in recent decades and the process has become an important chain in maximising the upgrading of crude oil. 

Shell and its catalyst business, Criterion, have already provided licensing technology and catalysts in the hydrocracking and diesel hydrotreating area to the Khabarovsk refinery. The gasoline production facilities at the refinery are also being revamped using Criterion’s expertise and catalysts to produce high quality automotive fuel.

Ed Daniels, Vice President Commercial, Shell Global Solutions, said: "As a refiner, we understand industry issues and technology’s crucial role in keeping up with global market trends and meeting energy demands. With our ongoing consultancy and cutting-edge licensed technologies, we can help the Khabarovsk refinery to efficiently begin producing high-quality fuels for the region while meeting regulatory and product specification needs."

Evgeny Vorobeichik, President, Alliance Oil Company, said: "We are pleased to be extending our relationship with Shell. Independent evaluation of their sophisticated licensed technologies confirmed that they will bring the most additional value to the Khabarovsk refinery."