The Takreer refining unit of Abu Dhabi’s state petroleum firm Adnoc is investigating the cause of a fire in a naphtha hydrotreater at its 417,000 b/d Ruwais Expansion refinery 240km west of Abu Dhabi city. The 11 January fire continues to curtail production of gasoline and propylene.

Five days after the fire Adnoc claimed the plant would be “online fully within 48 hours” and that the impact of the fire was “marginally limited to propylene production.” But deferred diesel cargoes and offers of prompt Murban crude – the refinery is configured to process Adnoc’s 39.6° API Murban grade – indicates that getting the plant back fully online has proved more problematic. (CONTINUED - 653 WORDS)