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Resid upgrading is normally referred to as bottom of the barrel processing. The price differentials between light sweet crudes vs. heavy sour crudes creates a strong incentive for refiners to lower their feed cost by using as heavy of a crude blend as possible. This creates a need for additional bottom of the barrel processing, both for expansion and for yield improvement. Traditionally, this would automatically call for the addition of crude and/or vacuum units as a starting point. However, there are alternative processing schemes for processing the vacuum or atmospheric residues to maximizing the value of the heavier crudes.
The processing schemes can be classified as two different approaches:
KBR has long been known for providing refiners the solutions for processing bottom of the barrel. KBR build its strength in heavy oil from years of involvement in upgrading projects in Venezuela and Canada.
As refiners reconfigure their refineries to procure low cost heavy, sour, and acidic crude oils, KBR engineering and technology specialists are ready to assist our clients to achieve their operating and business objectives.