Adnoc Refining evaluates bids for a naphtha upgrade project aiming to boost gasoline output and improve overall refinery profitability.
Adnoc Refining, the refining division of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), is currently assessing technical proposals for a strategic project designed to enhance naphtha production at its facilities in Abu Dhabi, as reported by MEED. The company has entered into technical clarification discussions with several contractors that submitted bids, as part of the ongoing evaluation process for the initiative.
Adnoc Refining currently generates around 11 million tonnes per year (t/y) of naphtha, which is classified into two distinct types: crude naphtha, derived from crude oil processing, and condensate naphtha, produced from condensate treatment. The new project seeks to convert this naphtha into higher-value gasoline derivatives, thereby improving the refinery’s profit margins and contributing to more efficient downstream operations.
The proposed development involves the creation of a fully integrated naphtha processing complex. Key units to be included are light and heavy naphtha hydrotreaters, light naphtha isomerisation units, two heavy naphtha reformers, and a continuous catalytic reformer with a processing capacity of 50,000 barrels per day. Adnoc Refining has mandated the use of licensed process technology from French firm Axens for the operational functions of these units.
The main engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) tender for this naphtha upgrade project was issued in May. Technical bids were submitted in June by a diverse group of international firms, including:
• Archirodon (Greece)
• Enppi and Petrojet (Egypt)
• Kalpataru Projects International and Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India)
• Petrofac (UK)
• Tecnimont (Italy)
These bidders are now engaged in follow-up clarification meetings with Adnoc Refining to resolve technical uncertainties and advance the selection process.
Adnoc Group maintains a 65% majority ownership in Adnoc Refining. The remaining shares are held by Italian energy firm Eni (20%) and Austria’s OMV (15%), following a $5.8 billion investment deal finalized in 2019. With a refining capacity of 922,000 barrels per day (b/d) of crude and condensates, Adnoc Refining annually produces over 40 million tonnes of refined petroleum products. These include liquefied petroleum gas, naphtha, gasoline, jet fuel, gas oil, base oil, fuel oil, and petrochemical feedstocks such as propylene. Additionally, the company manufactures specialty materials like carbon black and anode coke.
The current initiative evolved from a front-end engineering and design (FEED) to EPC competition launched in March of the previous year. UK-based Petrofac and South Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction were shortlisted for this competition. However, the final EPC tender is understood to be primarily based on Petrofac’s FEED proposal.
This naphtha upgrade project represents a scaled-back version of a previously planned $3 billion-plus refinery project aimed at producing 4.2 million t/y of gasoline and 1.6 million t/y of aromatics. That ambitious project was cancelled in 2019, though several of its original elements have been integrated into the current, more streamlined scope.
