Formosa Petrochemical’s residue desulphurizer unit resumes operations at China

31-Oct-12

Formosa Petrochemical has resumed operations at its only refinery’s secondary unit in China. The 80,000 bpd residue desulphurizer unit (RDS) was closed for unscheduled maintenance on 12 October after a leak was reported. The 540,000 bpd Mailiao plant will be operated at about 96.5% capacity in November following the RDS restart, which was being operated at less than 95% during the maintenance period. The company is also operating its two 84,000 bpd residue fluid catalytic crackers (RFCCs) at around 80% of its capacity because of the unplanned maintenance closure of the secondary unit. Formosa Petroleum company spokesperson was quoted by Reuters as saying that, "We are keeping the operating rates at both RFCCs at about 80% of capacity in the meantime because we have run out of feedstock."