Crude distillation

Crude oil is heated and fed into a distillation column, where it separates into fractions according to boiling point, from light gases at the top to heavier residues drawn off near the bottom.

These fractions form the feedstock for everything else that happens downstream, including the secondary processing units that convert them into diesel, gasoline and other finished petroleum products.

From column to product

Stable, monitored operation

The unit runs continuously under monitored temperature and pressure conditions, with operators tracking performance around the clock to keep the process stable and within its designed operating parameters.

Problems at this stage compound downstream. A column running outside its designed parameters produces fractions that are harder to process correctly later, so consistent operation of this unit is a priority.

The first quality checkpoint

Samples are taken at multiple points in the process and sent to our laboratory, where they are checked against specification before the resulting fractions move on to the next stage.