SK Energy Sets New Record for 'Accident-Free and Reduced Construction Time' with 1 Trillion KRW Investment in Low-Sulfur Fuel Facility

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] SK Energy announced on the 29th that the Vacuum Residue Desulfurization System (VRDS), in which it invested 1 trillion KRW, successfully completed its trial operation on the 14th and finalized preparations for commercial production.

SK Energy began construction of the VRDS in January 2018 in anticipation of increased demand for low-sulfur fuel oil due to the International Maritime Organization regulation (IMO 2020), and completed mechanical completion at the end of January this year, starting trial operations.

The VRDS is a facility that produces low-sulfur fuel oil and light oil by inducing hydrodesulfurization reactions using vacuum residue from the vacuum distillation process as raw material. It was built on an area of 820,645㎡ at the SK Ulsan Complex.

The company stated that although the piping length reached 240 km and the number of high-pressure facilities doubled compared to the existing plant, the construction period was shortened by three months, and the trial operation period was also reduced by more than two weeks.

SK Energy said that approximately 24,000 joints connecting the pipes were used in the VRDS, and there were no issues with oil or gas leaks caused by gaps in the joints, which commonly occur in newly established plants.

Additionally, it added that during the 27 months from construction to trial operation, it achieved a record of zero accidents and zero disasters.

In particular, the VRDS marked the first case of completing trial operation solely with the SK Ulsan Complex’s own technology.

Since the new VRDS has many high-pressure special facilities, experts from foreign equipment suppliers were scheduled to participate in the trial operation, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, external personnel were prohibited from entering the plant.

Cho Kyung-mok, President of SK Energy, said, "The successful completion of the VRDS trial operation is the culmination of SK Energy’s advanced process operation technology," and added, "We will innovate eco-friendly business models, including the VRDS, which will be a pillar of future competitiveness, and lead the creation of not only economic value but also social value."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.