Bechtel has signed a license agreement with Assiut Oil Refining Co. (ASORC), a subsidiary of Egyptian General Petroleum Corp. (EGPC), for the process design of a delayed coking unit at the Assiut refinery in Egypt. 

The new delayed coking unit will be part of the $1.5-billion refinery modernization program, using Bechtel's proprietary ThruPlus coking technology to upgrade heavy oil into high-value, light hydrocarbon liquids.

"Investment in the Assiut refinery will increase production of petroleum products to meet Upper Egypt’s growing demands, while maintaining important environmental standards," said Nagi Abd El-Ghaffar Kassab, chairman of ASORC. "The addition of a modern delayed coking unit was determined to be the most economical option to allow the refinery to increase complexity and eliminate heavy fuel oil product."  

Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions is a Bechtel subsidiary that provides technology licensing and process consulting services to the oil, gas, and petrochemical industry. Bechtel Hydrocarbon TechnologySolutions acquired the ThruPlus technology from ConocoPhilips in 2011.

"Implementation of Bechtel’s ThruPlus technology combined with our delayed coking expertise and extensive experience of our people will increase the efficiency of the Assiut refinery," said Dan Olsen, president of Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions. 

“We are looking forward to working with ASORC to support their goal of expanding the refinery’s capabilities aligned with Egypt’s strategic energy and economic goals. The use of ThruPlus technology at the Assiut refinery will also enhance efficiency of EGPC operations as they already use the technology at a refinery in Alexandria operated by another subsidiary, Middle East Oil Refining Co.”