Published January 2020

Integration of oil refineries and petrochemical plants: the need of the hour, applied up-to-date decisions

E.A. Alkhasly

It is known that recently in the view of increased competition in oil refining and petrochemical fields, as well as the certain changes in market condition, the integration of oil refineries and petrochemical enterprises becomes actual. Cost fluctuations in unstable oil market, the changes of requirements for oil refining and petrochemical products, the influence of tight ecological standards on the operational expenses, large capital volumes into petroleum chemistry and competition increase makes necessary the analysis of oil refining and petroleum chemistry enterprises within a sole complex in the context of economic attractiveness. The integration of oil refineries and petrochemical plants is a key element of cost decrease and refining efficiency improvement. The paper presents the advantages of oil refineries and petrochemical plants integration. The stimulus, advantages and issues are discussed, the examples shown as well. The ways of intensification of integration processes among the enterprises for assurance of their steady competitiveness in the international markets are shown using the synergetic advantages of oil refineries and petrochemical plants.