ExxonMobil to Expand Rotterdam Hydrocracker to Produce Higher-Value Products

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  • Expansion will produce EHCTM Group II base stocks and ultra-low sulfur diesel
  • Investment builds on recent Baytown and Singapore projects providing global EHC Group II availability
  • Project underscores ExxonMobil’s disciplined approach to investing at advantaged refineries

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ExxonMobil will expand the hydrocracker unit at its Rotterdam refinery to upgrade heavier byproducts into cleaner, higher-value finished products, including EHCTM Group II base stocks and ultra-low sulfur diesel, to meet growing global market demand.

The refinery, operated by Esso Nederland BV, will use ExxonMobil’s proprietary hydrocracking technology and be the first to produce EHC Group II base stocks in Europe. Base stocks are the primary ingredients used in the production of high-quality lubricating oils and greases. Group II base stocks are higher in performance, resulting in advantages in many lubricant and process oil applications.

“This investment demonstrates ExxonMobil’s long-term view and disciplined investment approach,” said Jerry Wascom, president of ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company. “Despite a challenging industry environment, we are committed to our long-term strategy of investing in projects in advantaged locations where we can continue to increase competitiveness and profitability.”

ExxonMobil’s Rotterdam refinery, one of the most energy efficient in Europe, plays a key role in the region and marketplace as a manufacturer of low-sulfur petroleum products and chemical feedstocks. Following the expansion, the hydrocracking process will use proprietary catalysts applied in a unique refinery process configuration to efficiently produce both high-quality base stocks and ultra-low sulfur diesel.

The base stocks that will be produced at Rotterdam are designed to help lubricant blenders achieve greater formulation flexibility and simplify global qualification testing. ExxonMobil’s EHC product line will enable customers to cost-effectively blend a broad range of finished lubricants to meet evolving industry requirements.

“This investment underscores our commitment to provide high-quality base stocks in Europe and follows previously announced expansions at ExxonMobil’s Baytown, Texas and Jurong Singapore refineries this past year,” said Loic Vivier, vice president of Wholesale & Specialties for ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants. “Combined with ExxonMobil’s existing manufacturing capabilities, this project will enable us to offer a global EHC Group II base stocks product offering to meet current and future customer needs.”

The Rotterdam hydrocracker project, coupled with the refinery’s advantageous location in an integrated petrochemical cluster, will strengthen the refinery’s position as a leader in the global refining industry.

The project’s environmental impact assessment has been approved and the site-permitting process is being finalized. Permits are expected in early 2016. Pending receipt of permits, construction is scheduled to begin in 2016 and unit startup is targeted for 2018.

About ExxonMobil Refining & Supply

ExxonMobil Refining & Supply and its stewarded affiliates operate a global network of reliable and efficient manufacturing plants, transportation systems and distribution centers that provide a range of fuels, lubricants and other high-value products and feedstocks to our customers around the world.

About ExxonMobil Basestocks

ExxonMobil is one of the world’s largest suppliers of base stocks and leading licensors of base stock technology and produces Group I, Group II/II+ and synthetic base stocks at strategically located refineries around the world. ExxonMobil’s base stocks are designed to provide enhanced performance capabilities in applications ranging from engine oils to industrial lubricants. ExxonMobil’s CORE Group I and EHCTM Group II slates meet more than 90 percent of the industry’s base stock needs and offer broader blend coverage and the potential to reduce supply chain complexity while meeting evolving industry requirements. For more information, visit: www.exxonmobil.com/basestocks

About ExxonMobil Rotterdam Refinery

ExxonMobil’s modern Rotterdam refinery has a daily throughput of 190,000 barrels and plays a key role in the region and marketplace as a manufacturer of low-sulfur petroleum products and feedstocks for the chemical industry. The refinery was built in the late 1950s and was the largest ever foreign investment at that time. A 1980s Flexicoker investment was the largest ever industrial investment in the Netherlands at that time.

About ExxonMobil in the Netherlands

ExxonMobil’s presence in the Netherlands dates back to 1891, making it the country’s oldest oil and gas company. ExxonMobil is also the oldest U.S. industrial company in the Netherlands. ExxonMobil now has several manufacturing sites in the Rotterdam area, including a refinery, a lubes plant and four petrochemical plants. Its Esso fuels are sold to branded wholesalers and resellers. For more information visit www.exxonmobil.nl or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/exxonmobil_nl.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Statements of future events or conditions in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including project plans, schedules, costs, and capacities and future market positioning could differ materially due to changes in market conditions affecting the oil and gas industry or long-term price levels for oil, gas and refined products; political or regulatory developments, including the granting of required permits and any changes in environmental laws; the occurrence and duration of economic recessions; the actions of competitors; technical or operating factors; and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" in the Investor Information section of our website (www.exxonmobil.com) and in Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K. The term "project" as used in this release does not necessarily have the same meaning as under any government payment transparency reporting rules.

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Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation

Released October 29, 2015