SIBUR begins commissioning works and testing of the new gas fractionation unitin Tobolsk

Tobolsk, 9 January 2014 SIBUR has begun commissioning works and testing of its new gas fractionation unit in Tobolsk.

The overall progress of the project that envisages construction of the second gas fractionation unit (GFU) at the Tobolsk site is above 98%. Construction has been successfully completed, with commissioning works and testing currently underway.

Comprehensive testing of the second GFU will begin in early 2014.

With the new fractionation unit total raw natural gas liquids (raw NGL) fractionation capacity at the Tobolsk production site will increase to 6.6 million tonnes per annum from the current 3.8 million tonnes per annum. The launch of the new fractionation unit is expected in 2014.

To ensure stable operations of the Tobolsk site after the new fractionation unit is launched, SIBUR is constructing infrastructure facilities, including isothermal and spherical storage facilities for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) and naphtha. Development of railway infrastructure is in progress. The first stage of Denisovka station's non-public railway tracks construction has been completed, with permission to commission having been granted. The second stage of the construction that will enable continuous reception and dispatch of Russian Railways trains at the Tobolsk station is underway.

Along with expansion of the NGL processing capacity, at Tobolsk-Neftekhim SIBUR continues construction of a propane purification facility to reduce methanol content that will allow to tap a larger commercial market for propane. Construction of the unit is 87% completed. The project is scheduled for completion in 2014.