Project Overview

Coke Drum Replacement

Replacing 10 coke drums that have reached the end of their useful life.

Key Facts:

• A coke drum is a large, vertical vessel used to recover as much lighter hydrocarbons as possible and produce petroleum coke, which is the last residual product in the refining process.
• The replacements will reduce downtime for maintenance and improve reliability.
• Upgrades will be made to coke drum support structures during replacement.
• Installation will be performed by skilled and trained Building Trades Union labor.

Asphalt Sales Rack Addition

Construction of an asphalt sales rack to provide a local source of asphalt binder (i.e., the viscous material used to hold the aggregates and sand together to form asphalt and asphalt products) for regional construction and paving, cutting down on current long-distance trucking of imported asphalt materials for local projects.

Key Facts:

• The refinery already produces the components that are blended to make up asphalt binder; this operational improvement will not increase throughput or introduce any new products.
• The Asphalt Sales Rack will help meet local demand for asphalt products, as California’s demand currently exceeds the available supply produced in the state.
• This will provide a more efficient local source for asphalt trucks that currently import asphalt products by truck over long distances.
• This local supply will bring compounding benefits of supporting union jobs in infrastructure.

Fluid Feed Hydrodesulfurization Unit Modification

Modifications to the Fluid Feed Hydrodesulfurization Unit are proposed to enhance operational efficiency, ensuring the refinery meets California’s demand for cleaner-burning transportation fuels that comply with California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards.

Key Facts:

• Modification will provide flexibility to meet California’s market demand for different fuel blends.
• Modifications will achieve consistency with California Energy Commission/CARB requirements as outlined in the Transportation Fuels Assessment authorized by Senate Bill SBX1-2. These requirements include robust reporting, monitoring, and maintenance for refineries to stabilize fuel markets and manage price fluctuations.

Alkylation Modifications

Upgrades to the Alkylation Units and Fluid Feed Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) will allow the refinery to shift product yield when market conditions demand.

Key Facts:

• Upgrades to the Carson and Wilmington Alkylation Units and FCCU allow these units to produce alkylate, a key blending component of clean gasoline.

• Modifications will shift raw material availability to supply the Carson and Wilmington Alkylation Units, increasing flexibility and reliability.
• Modifications will achieve consistency with the California Energy Commission/CARB Transportation Fuels Assessment authorized by Senate Bill SBX1-2, legislation that introduced robust reporting, monitoring, and maintenance requirements for refineries to stabilize fuel markets and manage price fluctuations.