Repsol-YPF has selected Axens to furnish technologies for the expansion of the Cartagena refinery in Murcia, Spain.

The new refining train will include a 50,000 barrel per day hydrocracker to convert a blend of heavy vacuum (HVGO) and heavy coker gas-oils (HCGO) into high quality, ultra low sulfur middle distillates for the strong European market demand. The hydrocracker technology can convert VGOs from conventional, heavy and extra-heavy crudes, deasphalted oil (DAO) or HCGO into high quality middle distillates while affording residue fractions that are suitable as very high VI lube oil base-stocks. By selecting the appropriate catalyst, the process can produce oils ranging from transformer oil to bright stocks.

Axens will also provide a C₅-C₆ alkane isomerization unit to boost gasoline pool octane, two HDS units to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel from straight run and light coker gas-oil, and a coker naphtha HDS unit.
Start-up is scheduled for last quarter of 2010.

Repsol-YPF
Repsol-YPF,  is an integrated international oil and gas company operating in more than 30 countries and leading the spanish and argentinian markets.  It is one of the ten major private oil companies in the world and the largest private energy company in Latin America.