KBR to upgrade Jebel Ali refinery

GLOBAL engineering, construction and services company KBR (NYSE: KBR) has been awarded a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract by Emirates National Oil Company Processing Company LLC (EPCL) for the upgrade of its condensate refinery at Jebel Ali in Dubai. The contract value was not disclosed.

KBR work on this facility is consistent with the growing trend of refinery upgrades across the Middle East in an effort to meet the rising domestic fuel demands and more stringent product specifications, according to the Middle East business intelligence site, MEED.com.

"Supporting EPCL's commitment to the downstream market is critically important," said Roy Oelking, KBR Hydrocarbons Business Group president, who noted that the contract will be executed by KBR's London Operating Center. "As a longtime partner with EPCL, we appreciate both the importance and the impact this project will have in enabling EPCL to achieve its business objectives."

Currently, the facility owned by Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) has two trains of condensate distillation units. The upgrade will add new processing units (jet and diesel hydrotreaters and isomerization unit) and will lead to production of several Euro V grade products such as high octane gasoline, low sulfur jet fuel and ultra-low sulfur diesel.