Pengerang Refining and Petrochemical (PRefChem), a strategic alliance between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco), has commenced the start-up of its refinery in Pengerang, Johor through the firing up of the complex's crude distillation unit. With this, the group expects the refinery to be ready for commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2019.
In a statement yesterday, PRefChem said the refinery, with a capacity of 300,000 barrels of crude per day, will produce refined petroleum products including gasoline and diesel upon its completion — meeting Euro 5 fuel specifications.
The refinery will also provide feedstock for the integrated petrochemicals complex, with a capacity to produce 3.3 million tonnes per year.
"Today, the refinery has achieved mechanical completion and is now in full commission, marking the beginning of start-ups in subsequent facilities within this integrated development," said PRefChem chief executive officer Dr Colin Wong Hee Huing.