China's Refinery Upgrading Program: An Update

摘要

China's refining industry was unable to respond to the changing demand structure by reliance on domestic technologies alone. The first steps in reforming the system came during the sixth Five-Year Plan of 1980-1985, when the majority of China's refineries were consolidated under the China National Petrochemical Corporation, or Sinopec. Sinopec then began work on formulating an upgrading program for its refining system based on the renovation and expansion of existing facilities and the importation of selected technologies. The program is aimed at meeting the expected demand slate of petroleum products in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A survey of the projects reveals Sinopec's general development strategy and illustrates the future of product supply over the near term. The projects can be roughly divided into four categories: those that increase the depth of refining, increase the utilization of light ends, improve product quality, and expand petrochemical production. (ERA citation 13:017691)