Utilization of PADD 5 light products processing capacity has trended downward in Q2 2017 as refiners perform planned maintenance ahead of the summer gasoline demand season, Genscape data shows. Meanwhile, unplanned outages in California have contributed to further production decreases. While 2017 scheduled maintenance in the region has affected units in all processing classes, including primary processing, middle distillates and heavy products, shutdowns at light product units, such as catalytic reformers and fluid catalytic crackers, have accounted for the majority of capacity offline this year. For Genscape-monitored units, weekly average light product capacity utilization decreased to 77.7 percent for week ending May 12 from 93.9 percent for week ending April 21, according to Genscape's near-real-time refinery monitoring.
Multi-unit turnarounds have continued at PBF Energy's 155,000 bpd Torrance, CA, refinery since April 8, at BP's 234,000 bpd Cherry Point, WA, refinery since April 9, and at Tesoro's 120,000 bpd Anacortes, WA, refinery since April 10. The 26,000 bpd catalytic reformer at Anacortes is expected to return to service early this week, according to a Bloomberg report. Work at the Torrance refinery is scheduled for 45 to 55 days, wrapping up by early June, according to PBF Energy. A 20,000 bpd catalytic reformer at the 276,000 bpd Tesoro Carson, CA, refinery remained in restart mode as of May 19, following planned maintenance beginning April 21, according to Genscape. The work, originally scheduled for March, was expected to last approximately 20 days, according to a Bloomberg report.
Light product processing utilization was further depressed by unplanned outages at Valero’s 132,000 bpd refinery in Benicia, CA. All monitored units at the refinery were shut by a power outage on May 5, with multiple units restarting May 14. The 77,000 bpd FCC and associated 20,000 bpd alkylation unit remained offline as of May 19, according to Genscape.
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