Axens was recently awarded, by Refineria Isla, a contract to perform pre-FEED Engineering work to supply natural gas from Venezuela to Refineria Isla Curaçao B.V. “Refineria Isla”, in Curaçao.

The project is part of Refineria Isla modernization project. The overall objective is to provide positive impacts on both the environment and refinery economics. These benefits will be achieved through the conversion of fired equipment from heavy fuel oil to natural gas. SOx, NOx and particle emissions will be reduced to under the most stringent international standards, contributing to general improvement of the Island air quality. The associated CO2 emission will be reduced by about 20%. Natural gas will be delivered to Curaçao from Venezuela via a new submarine pipeline connected to the Puerto Cumarebo station.

Axens Performance Programs business unit teamed up with Doris Engineering for the offshore gas transportation system to Curaçao. The documentation prepared serves as a basis to solicit bids for FEED and includes execution plans for the permitting and regulatory approval. The required gas treatment facilities comprise molecular sieve dehydration unit, designed by Prosernat, an Axens company, hydrocarbon dew pointing and gas compression. High performance Axens molecular sieves for water removal ( axsorb 510 and AxSorb 533) have been proposed to achieve the water specification. Treated gas will be transported through a 16-inch diameter subsea pipeline, approximately 90 kilometers in length. Maximum water depth is 1400 meters. Pipeline construction and upgrade of fired equipment inside the refinery are expected to be completed by 2021.

About Refineria Isla

Refineria Isla is operating the Curaçao refinery.

About Axens Group

Following the acquisition of a majority stake in Heurtey Petrochem’s capital and the integration of 50% of Eurecat, Axens Group is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility study to unit start-up and follow-up throughout the entire unit cycle life. Axens Group provides a complete range of solutions including: technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and services for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels as well as production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates. The offer covers all of natural gas' treatment and conversion options. This unique range of solutions ensures the highest level of performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Axens Group’s global offer is based on: highly trained human resources, modern production facilities and an extended global network for industrial, technical supports & commercial services.

About Doris Engineering

Doris Engineering is an engineering company with more than 50 years’ experience in upstream projects, both onshore and offshore. With a worldwide reputation for pioneering work, Doris Engineering is an international leader in providing services to the oil and gas industry. Thanks to the imagination and practical experience of its workforce, Doris Engineering has successfully completed a number of prominent projects, and has several “firsts” in offshore technology.