Oil is one of the most important assets of our country, since not only the financial position of the state, but also its energy security directly depend on “black gold”. One of the pillars of the domestic oil refining industry is the Syzran refinery.
A bit of history
The first products of this powerful enterprise went straight to the front. It happened on July 22, 1942. In those difficult years, the plant included only a thermal cracking unit and a six-cubic battery, which were hastily evacuated from the Tuapse refinery. In total, 360 employees worked, including only 14 engineers. Despite this, the Syzran refinery gave products of excellent quality.
After only a few months of the heroic labor of its workers, who actually worked in the open air and slept only a few hours a day, the plant was fully commissioned. By the 43rd fuel that was issued by the Syzran refinery, at least two thousand T-34 tanks could be refueled.
Post-war years
Of course, the entire post-war period was marked by a constant increase in production and the complete modernization of the enterprise. The plan for this event was approved in 1954. By 1960, the Syzran refinery could boast of the latest production methods, which at that time were considered advanced.
18 new processing plants were launched, and the range of fuels and lubricants produced was seriously expanded. In addition, the list of products included even sulfuric acid, which is urgently needed for the country's constantly growing car fleet.
By 1976, the plant’s products, always of the highest quality, were exported to 30 countries, including many European countries. In those same years, the release of AI-92 and 93 was mastered.
New time
Since oil refining has always been in demand, Syzran Oil Refinery OJSC quite comfortably survived even the difficult 90s, while complete chaos reigned in other industrial sectors. Since the shareholders of the enterprise were always extremely influential people, they did not allow to plunder technical support, and the construction of an oil refinery (new workshops) did not stop even then.
By 2001, the newest processing unit was put into operation, which allowed producing 6.0 million tons of high-quality fuel per year. Today it is already semi-officially called the "heart of the plant." And this is not surprising: given the sharply increased demand for fuel in the country's fleet, as well as the fierce competition that prevails in this market, the commissioning of this workshop can rightfully be considered the second birth of the enterprise.
Rosneft
After the Rosneft became a part of OAO NK "Rosneft", the era of complete modernization began, a similar to which the plant had not yet seen. In particular, the main emphasis was placed on the compliance of the fuel produced with the most stringent global environmental standards. In addition, the task was set to increase the level of oil refining to 85% by 2015. If the goal is achieved, then the company can rightfully be considered not only the best domestic refinery, but also one of the most productive oil refineries on a global scale.
This will not only dramatically increase the prestige of the refinery, but will also help attract new investors whose money will go not only to produce excellent fuel, but also to help the entire city infrastructure.
Everything indicates that this task will be completed on time. Already in 2011, a unique hydrogen production unit was put into operation on the territory of the plant, which will allow the plant to soon switch to the production of environmentally friendly fuels. In addition, new ultra-efficient catalytic cracking workshops were launched , which not only dramatically increases the depth of processing of raw materials, but also makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of the production process itself.
Caring for the environment
The latest technology is not only an increase in the volume of fuel produced and a decrease in the amount of waste, but also a sharp improvement in its quality. To date, the city’s oil refining industry has already mastered the production of diesel fuel, which fully complies with Euro-4, as well as Euro-3 gasoline. By next year, the company will completely switch to the production of fuels and lubricants that meet the most stringent Euro-5 standard.
Environmental characteristics of production
When the ELOU-AVT-6 complex was launched in 2001, seven “ancient” plants were decommissioned at once, whose environmental characteristics no longer met even the mildest standards. At the enterprises of Syzran, there is practically no UV irradiation and disinfection system for wastewater, but the refinery under consideration launched a similar technique 13 years ago.
In addition, in 2010, a new sulfuric acid plant with the best air purification plants was introduced. Its characteristics are such that today the level of harmful emissions of an enterprise is 21% lower (!) Than the current standards.
Each year, the plant management allocates at least 300 million rubles for environmental protection measures. Plant ecologists daily carry out full environmental monitoring , controlling the level of emissions. In addition, a mobile laboratory equipped with the most modern gas analyzers is constantly working to monitor air purity.
Urban Infrastructure Support
The plant not only pays gigantic tax deductions in favor of the entire state, but also bears a considerable social burden to support the city. After all, but today the number of employees has already grown to almost 2.5 thousand people, and yet this is the population of an entire city block! Particular attention is traditionally paid to the younger generation.
So, in 2012, a kindergarten with almost 300 places was built, intended not only for the children of refinery employees, but also for young family members of other urban industrial enterprises. The management of the plant donated 120 million rubles for the construction of the kindergarten. The construction of the second stage is already planned, since this preschool institution covers only 75% of the needs of factory workers.
In a word, this oil refinery can rightfully be considered a city-forming enterprise.