BBTC MENA: Looking ahead to the future of BOB, post-COVID
For almost two decades, Euro Petroleum Consultants’ BBTC – Bottom of the Barrel Technology Conference series has been the only event focusing on technologies, catalysts, project trends and equipment innovations relating to residue upgrading in refineries. This year, the MENA edition proudly takes place, once again, under the Patronage of H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Kingdom of Bahrain, with the support of the National Oil & Gas Authority (NOGA) and Bapco as Principal Sponsor.
The past 18 months have certainly proven to be a difficult period for the markets, with the COVID-19 pandemic and its wide-reaching impact, during which certain trends were amplified and accelerated - raising many questions regarding the best adapted routes and solutions for the bottom of the barrel and upgrading residue. The industry experienced a drop in oil prices, fuelled by the consequences of the different lockdowns and resulting in decrease in demand. The first wave was by far the most dramatic in terms of duration and impact; the second and the third waves were less significant in comparison, however all three drastically changed the refiners outlook on the markets both short and long term.
A number of questions surrounding the future of the Bottom of the Barrel (BOB) come to mind.
- What role does BOB and residue upgrading play given the changing demand and refining landscape?
- How have existing assets been operating over the last year?
- Will operators be looking to invest in capital intensive BOB projects given the acceleration of the energy transition?
- Fossil fuels are the world greatest feedstock but will petrochemicals be the preferred route for bottom of the barrel? If so, is there a risk of certain markets for petrochemical products becoming saturated?
A big focus has been on chemicals, which can limit refiners to olefins and aromatics routes only.
Technology providers, which will be present during the event, have an important role to play, giving refiners the flexibility to change their route depending on their market position, develop new innovative operations to optimise assets and configuration adjustments to comply with new regulations, reduce the carbon footprint - and most importantly maximising margins.
Audience at BBTC MENA
The pandemic accelerated many aspects of the energy transition and this presents both challenges and opportunities for the Middle East downstream sector, which currently occupies an advantageous position and will continue to do so. Other regions such as Europe have seen an increase in plant closures, asset transformations and sales to third parties. Should this trend continue, the Middle East region can strengthen its position, with impressive assets in terms of scale and complexity, more favourable crude oil price, access to export markets – all factors contributing to long-term success. The Middle East is in a prime position to diversify, embrace flexibility and meet market demands.
Refiners have to adapt their operations to meet the current market demand and all aspects will be discussed in further details during the BBTC MENA 2021 edition. Traditional refining is no longer seen as the only way to achieve profit targets, integration and diversification are playing an increasingly important role in balancing the economy of the sector. As many refineries in the region struggle with the flexibility of feeds and the ongoing challenging fuel oil market situation and changing specifications, refiners can look to the option of importing fuel oil as feed for the crude oil distillations to meet changing demands and improve margins.
BBTC MENA Exhibition Showcase
Residue upgrading has been, without doubt, central to achieving high levels of productivity and maintaining competitiveness – a key component to every modern refinery complex. In today's downstream industry, we are faced with new challenges and opportunities, with changing markets and a drive towards greater sustainability and decarbonisation.
Refiners will continue to look to convert low value residues and increase conversion to curb low-value fuel oil production. Key objectives remain: increasing conversion, improving products, further integration with petrochemicals, reducing emissions and increasing margins.
Along with the process technologies, catalysts will continue to play a central role in reaching these objectives. Catalytic processes are very much at the heart of all refineries. Producers are looking to select the best-suited catalyst to increase profitability, maximise production, increase integration & develop new revenue streams. Making the right selection in terms of Catalyst Management, waste management, different recovery & regeneration techniques is highly important when it comes to deciding on the best operational strategy for the coming years.
Speakers & Panelists at BBTC MENA
There are new investments in bottom of the barrel processes, which will be discussed during the event, as well as revamps and operational improvements to existing units. New projects are going ahead - particularly in the Middle East and Russia - with a lot of options available: thermal, ebullated, fixed-bed and slurry hydrocracking technologies.
Looking back at the previous editions of BBTC MENA and the market demand back then, and comparing it to today’s context, it is certain that the 2021 BBTC MENA edition is shaping up to be a unique event.
With insightful presentations and thought-provoking panel discussions with major end-users and leading technology, catalyst and service providers, BBTC MENA is the not-to-be missed event for the Bottom of the Barrel – technologies & catalysts. This event offers a great platform for the Middle East Refiners to network and knowledge share with fellow downstream specialists to contribute to refineries’ long-term success.
The Minister of Oil, Bahrain at BBTC MENA Opening Ceremony
Delegates attending BBTC MENA 2021 will hear the latest updates on residue upgrading & catalyst technologies. Some of the major Producers presenting at the conference are BAPCO, ENI, GAZPROMNEFT - CATALYTIC SYSTEMS, KIPIC, KNPC, NAYARA ENERGY LIMITED, SATORP and SAUDI ARAMCO.
Key solution technologies will be presented by market leaders including ART Hydroprocessing, Axens, CLG, Honeywell UOP, Shell & AMG Recycling, Wood and many more. Topics will include heavy oils upgrading strategies, HS-FCC, ARDS catalyst system, spent residue upgrading catalysts and delayed coking.
BBTC MENA 2021 – Middle East Bottom of the Barrel & Catalyst Technology Conference takes place on 14–15 December in Bahrain. For more information, please visit bbtcmena.europetro.com or email the organisers at events@europetro-me.com
