Pertamina produces IMO standard marine fuel with low sulphur
Thursday, February 20 2020 - 12:26 AM WIB
State-owned energy company PT Pertamina said its Refinery Unit (RU) II Dumai now has the capability to produce low sulphur marine fuel oil (MFO) which meets the standard required by International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The capability of Pertamina is proven with the launching of its maiden product MFO 180 cSt low sulphur at Refinery Unit II Dumai. The launching ceremony was led by Senior Manager Operation & Manufacturing (SMOM) Pertamina RU II Permono Avianto.
Permono said this product innovation is a form of Pertamina's commitment, particularly the Refinery Unit II, in carrying out continuous innovation and efficiency.
This innovation also addresses the challenges of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which set new sulfur quality limit standards for MFO products in 2020 which may not exceed 0.5 percent compared to the previous limit of 4.5 percent.
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The new IMO standard is then set forth in Director General of Oil and Gas Decree No. 0179.K/DJM.S/2019, which states that the fulfillment of sulphur content restrictions on MFO-type fuels is effective from Jan. 1, 2020.
Permono said the launching of the product is a form of gratitude for the success of colleagues at Pertamina RU II in formulating MFO products that are in accordance with IMO standards. "This is also in line with Pertamina's work plan in 2020 which includes innovations related to the reliability of refineries and high quality products," Permono said.
Regarding the launching of the 180 cSt Low Sulfur MFO product, Permono said that Pertamina had begun preparations for the production of this product since July 2019. A series of processes ranging from written simulations, laboratory analyzes to field trials had been carried out and produced fruitful results in early 2020 with the production of the 180 cSt Low Sulfur MFO in accordance with IMO standards.
In the initial phase, RU II Dumai produced 30,000 barrels per batch and will raise the production volume gradually to 200,000 barrels per batch production.
The above amount of MFO will be used first to meet the needs of bunkers (refueling fuel) for ships that are docking at Pertamina RU jetty II.
Editing by Roffie Kurniawan