Cepsa has started up Fuel 1 and the Vacuum 2 units at La Rábida" Refinery", which were shut down last September to avoid saturating the middle distillates market as a result of the drastic drop in consumption. The Fuel plant has a processing capacity of 5 million tons per year and produces energy products (propane, butane, naphtha, kerosene and diesel, among others) and raw materials for refining and the chemical industry.

The favorable progress of the international market in recent months and the facilities' geographical location, made it possible to capture new opportunities.

The start-up of these units has meant the end of the temporary redundancies (ERTE) agreed with the workers' representatives ahead of schedule, thus significantly improving the utilization ratio of the company’s two refineries.

According to Antonio Joyanes, Director of Refining at Cepsa, "I am pleased to announce that we have reactivated the operation of these two units ahead of schedule. We will continue to implement efficiency measures and monitor the progress of the macroeconomic environment, which is still difficult."

Situation of extraordinary complexity

The economic crisis brought on by COVID-19 has had significant impact on the demand for energy products and, in particular, on the already weakened refining margins, which, in 2020, fell to their lowest levels of the entire decade and continue to be depleted today. Faced with this serious situation, Cepsa has been forced to tailor its production to the exceptional market conditions, adapting the capacity of its refineries to ongoing weak demand, and to locate new markets where it can supply its products.

Cepsa in Andalusia

Operating in Andalusia for more than 50 years, Cepsa is a benchmark company in the region’s economic fabric, leading the ranking of Andalusian companies in turnover and exports. Its operating centers in the region directly employ close to 3,000 people and indirectly some 5,000. Through continuous investment and thanks to its commitment to innovation, Cepsa has prioritized permanent improvement and rigorous production processes, respect for the environment, and safety, as well as quality employment and commitment to the communities where it operates.

About Cepsa

Cepsa is a global energy company, which operates in an integrated manner throughout the value chain stages of hydrocarbons, in addition to the manufacture of products from raw materials of plant origin, and which has a presence in the renewable energy sector.
It has 90 years of experience and a team of some 10,000 employees, who combine technical excellence with adaptability. It has presence on all five continents through its business areas: Exploration and Production, Refining, Chemicals, Marketing, Gas and Electricity, and Trading.