The oil and gas company BP has announced to invest $270 million at Cherry Point Refinery to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and grow renewable diesel production.
Over the next three years 300 local jobs are expected to be created This investment is set with bp’s aims to be net zero across its operations by 2050 or sooner and to reduce the carbon intensity of the products it sells by 50% by 2050 or sooner.
The $169 million Hydrocracker Improvement Project (HIP) will help in reducing periods of planned maintenance and efficiency resulting in fewer unit shutdowns and associated flaring events.
The hydrocracker is the “heart” of the refinery. In this unit, heavy oils are subjected to high temperatures and pressure – in the presence of hydrogen – to produce gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Upon project completion, the hydrocracker will consume less hydrogen, which is produced at the refinery by conversion of natural gas, producing CO2 emissions. In addition, the hydrocracker will require less heat input from the consumption of gaseous fuel in refinery process heaters than it does today.
The $55 million Cooling Water Infrastructure Project (CWI) will enhance cooling water infrastructure, allowing for increased utilisation, better energy efficiency, and a related reduction in CO2 emissions.
Just as a radiator in a car cools the engine, cooling towers in the refinery enable cooling for process units through circulation of water. Water is recycled in this system, and as much ambient heat as possible is recovered.
The Renewable Diesel Optimization (RDO) project is a $45 million dollar investment that will more than double the refinery’s renewable diesel production capability to an estimated 2.6 million barrels a year.
The chairman and president of bp America David Lawler, said:
“bp’s new investment in Cherry Point builds on a half century of innovation in Washington state. It will position us to provide lower carbon energy while creating jobs and reducing emissions in our operations.”
