Bashneft commissions largest hydrogen unit for Russian refineries

Bashneft has started pilot operations at a new hydrogen production unit at the Bashneft-Novoil Branch, the company confirmed on Thursday.

The ceremony to mark the completion of the large-scale investment project was attended by the deputy chairman of the government of Bashkortostan, Dmitry Sharonovand, and JSOC Bashneft’s president Alexander Korsik.

"Commissioning of the new unit is an important milestone in the implementation of our strategy for upgrading production capacities, and marks the transition of the company’s refineries to a new technological heights," said Korsik. 

"Implementation of this large-scale project will ensure that 100% of the gasoline and diesel fuel we produce meets Euro 5 standard, but also make an additional substantial contribution to environmental protection," he added.

The commissioning of the hydrogen production unit marks the completion of an important stage in Bashneft’s Ufa refinery upgrade program aimed at meeting the requirements of Russia’s technical regulations on engine fuel quality. 

Presently, the new unit is the largest in Russia, with its rated capacity of 420 tpd.

Upon commissioning, total hydrogen production at the company’s refineries will nearly triple. Given close cooperation between production sites, this will fully satisfy the need for hydrogen. The unit will enable Bashneft to ensure that all automotive fuels it produces meet the Euro 5 emission standard and have an extremely low sulfur content of less than 10 ppm (0.001%).

Construction of the unit started in September 2012. Over RUB 12 billion was invested in the project.