TotalEnergies Prepares Restart of Key Units at Port Arthur Refinery

TotalEnergies gears up to restart the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker (FCC) at its Port Arthur refinery in Texas over the weekend, according to sources familiar with plant operations. 

The move follows the fabrication and installation of a clamp to address a leak that necessitated the shutdown of the 76,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) FCC unit.

FCC, Coker, and CDU Units:

Upon the successful restart of the FCC, TotalEnergies intends to restart the refinery’s coker and small crude distillation unit (CDU), as outlined by sources. 

The sequential restart process aims to restore full operational capacity and resume production across various refining units.

Impact on Coker and CDU Units:

Sources reported that the FCC unit’s shutdown prompted the subsequent shutdown of the 60,000-bpd coker and the 40,000-bpd ACU-2 CDU. With the FCC back in operation, efforts are underway to restart the coker, facilitating the resumption of production at ACU-2.

TotalEnergies’ Port Arthur refinery has encountered operational challenges since late November, following the conclusion of a three-month overhaul on the FCC. 

A plantwide power outage on January 16 further disrupted production, with normal operations restored by February 21. Additionally, malfunctions in sulfur recovery units were reported on March 7, adding to the refinery’s operational woes.

Initial Refining Processes:

ACU-2, one of the refinery’s crude distillation units (CDUs), plays a crucial role in refining by breaking down crude oil into feedstocks for downstream units. Restarting ACU-2 is integral to resuming overall refining operations and ensuring a smooth transition into full production.

The FCC unit utilizes a fine powder catalyst to convert gas oil into gasoline through high-temperature and high-pressure reactions. 

Conversely, the coker unit processes residual crude oil into feedstocks for motor fuels or petroleum coke, a coal substitute.

Outlook and Recovery Efforts:

TotalEnergies remains committed to addressing operational challenges and enhancing the reliability of its Port Arthur refinery. 

With the sequential restart of key refining units, the company aims to overcome recent setbacks and achieve sustained operational efficiency, contributing to its long-term success in the refining sector.