Technip Energies wins FEED contracts to upgrade and expand Gabon’s refinery, boosting capacity, fuel quality, sustainability, and economic development.
Technip Energies has secured two significant Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contracts from Société Gabonaise de Raffinage (SOGARA) for the development of its refinery complex located in Port-Gentil, Gabon. These contracts represent a major step toward modernizing and expanding the country’s refining infrastructure. The scope of the work includes both the upgrade of existing facilities and the construction of new processing units, reflecting a dual strategy of optimization and expansion.
The first FEED contract focuses on improving the performance and efficiency of SOGARA’s current refinery through a debottlenecking process. This involves addressing limitations in key processing units to increase throughput and overall operational capacity. As part of this upgrade, a new kerosene sweetening unit will be installed to enhance fuel quality, alongside the development of four additional storage facilities to support increased production and distribution needs. Technip Energies will also ensure seamless integration between the newly added units and the existing infrastructure, maintaining operational continuity while boosting efficiency.
The second contract involves the design of a completely new Hydrocracker Complex, which will be modularized for efficient construction and deployment. This facility is expected to substantially increase the refinery’s capacity and enable the processing of heavier crude oils into higher-value products. In addition to the hydrocracker unit itself, the project includes the development of a new marine jetty and an offloading facility, which will improve logistics and facilitate the handling of raw materials and finished products. Technip Energies plans to apply its advanced engineering expertise and proprietary technologies, including its Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) process, to produce hydrogen required for refining operations.
Both projects are aligned with the Africa 5 fuel quality standards, which are among the strictest regulations on sulfur content in fuels across the continent. By meeting these standards, the upgraded refinery will contribute to reducing sulfur emissions, thereby improving environmental conditions and air quality for nearby communities. These initiatives also support Gabon’s broader economic objectives by fostering industrial growth and creating employment opportunities at both local and national levels.
Loïc Chapuis, President of Project Delivery & Services at Technip Energies, expressed satisfaction with the award of these contracts. He emphasized that the projects highlight the company’s expertise in handling both brownfield developments, which involve upgrading existing facilities, and greenfield projects that require entirely new construction. He further noted that the Hydrocracker Complex showcases the company’s capability to integrate cutting-edge engineering with proprietary technologies to deliver impactful and efficient solutions. According to him, these contracts reinforce Technip Energies’ commitment to advancing refining capabilities in Africa while delivering long-term value to clients and contributing positively to local communities.
