Lessons learned from a complex refinery revamp
- Arco Products Co., Los Angeles, CA (United States)
- Bechtel Corp., Houston, TX (United States)
At Arco`s Los Angeles refinery (LAR) in Carson, Calif., organization and teamwork saved time and money during an enormous refinery revamp. In June 1992, Arco was given two and a half years to alter its Los Angeles refinery to produce gasoline and other fuels that would meet new, clean fuel standards put forth by the US 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAA). Reformulated gasoline was required in certain parts of the US by January 1, 1995. For Arco, this challenge was further compounded by regulatory changes that loomed in California. Any modifications made at the 240,000-bbl/d refinery to meet federal CAA requirements would have to be planned so as to be compatible with pending changes in gasoline specifications being developed by the California Air Resources Board. This article relates how Arco and its contractors accomplished this complex revamp while meeting all deadlines with real cost reductions. It also shares some valuable lessons learned for future revamps--whether they are to a petroleum refinery or any other complex process facility.
- OSTI ID:
- 438982
- Journal Information:
- Chemical Engineering, Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 104; ISSN CHEEA3; ISSN 0009-2460
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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