Foster Wheeler to supply hydrogen reformer for Russia’s Orsk refinery

Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract by Glencore Oil Projects for the engineering and material supply of a steam reformer heater for hydrogen production for the Orsknefteorgsyntez refinery at Orsk, Russia.

The value of Foster Wheeler’s contract was not disclosed and was included in the company’s first-quarter 2014 bookings.

The heater will be based on Foster Wheeler's Terrace Wall design. Foster Wheeler’s scope of work is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2015. 

This latest award follows Glencore’s award to Foster Wheeler of a Terrace Wall visbreaker heater for this refinery in 2013.

“We have a long and very successful track record in designing and supplying heaters for the Russian market, and we are very pleased to have received this award, which constitutes another vote of confidence in the quality and reliability of our heaters,” said Roberto Penno, CEO of, Foster Wheeler's global engineering and construction business.

Foster Wheeler's Terrace Wall reformer is characterized by a firing arrangement and sloped-wall radiant section design that, together, enable long catalyst tube life (often in excess of 100,000 hours) and deliver the flexibility to extend a reformer's operating envelope. This often allows production of hydrogen in excess of the design capacity of the hydrogen production unit, which may in turn deliver additional economic benefits. 

Foster Wheeler's reformers can operate with ultra-low-NOx burners to meet tightening environmental emission standards worldwide, according to company officials. Foster Wheeler has now supplied over 200 Terrace Wall steam reformers to the refining and petrochemical industries in more than 40 countries.