12 new GE reactors for Kuwait refinery

When completed in 2010, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s new Greenfield refinery in Al Zour will be the largest heavy crude oil processing facility in the Middle East with a capacity of 615,000 barrels per day of Kuwait Export Crude (KEC).

The new reactors each weigh 1,000 tons, have 288-mm walls and feature the latest generation of vanadium modified material. The units will be built at GE’s facilities in Massa, Italy and shipped to Kuwait starting in 2007.

As a world leader in large vessels, GE has been manufacturing reactors, exchangers and fabricated equipment in Massa for over 40 years. These reactors can weigh up to 1,500 tons and measure up to 40 metres in length.

Advanced materials, sophisticated manufacturing and welding techniques have been developed through the years to ensure high-quality construction with wall thicknesses up to 400 mm, as well as resistance to extremely high temperatures (up to 450°C) and pressures (up to 200 bar).

Our extensive, worldwide installed base now includes more than 300 reactors and separators for hydrocracking, desulfurization hydrotreating, platforming and similar processes – and is fully qualified by the major process licensors.

“The increasing demand for refined products is driving strong interest worldwide in building new refineries, as well as expanding and modernizing existing facilities while increasing oil prices push refiners to invest in heavier crude processing units. This is where our heavy-wall reactors become the most critical equipment” said Claudi Santiago, president and CEO of GE’s Oil & Gas business.

KNPC is the national oil refining company of Kuwait. Established in October of 1960, the company is responsible for oil refining, gas liquefaction and distribution of petroleum products. In addition to the new refinery project, KNPC operates three other refineries including the Shuaiba facility, which also features GE equipment.