OREANDA-NEWS. August 04, 2009. In the framework of the program for increasing the share of the associated petroleum gas utilization OAO TATNEFT executes works on the reconstruction of the Minnibaevo gas processing plant (MGPZ, which is part of the Tatneftegazpererabotka Administration, reported the press-centre of TATNEFT.

Specifically processing of the associated petroleum is a link in the chain of acquiring caoutchouc, which is the basic raw material for the manufacture of tires. Introduction of cryogenic technology for the processing of dry stripped gas with generation of ethane and nitrogen removal is on the way at present. This will increase the supply of ethane required for the production of polyethylene by the petrochemical industry of Tatarstan.

The Minnibaevo plant sulphur removal installation process flow was upgraded earlier. This made it possible to improve the gas cleaning and drying quality, increase the life period of the gas pipeline and also significantly reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Upgrading of the gas fractionation installation was also carried out allowing it to increase the loading of raw materials and improve the products yield.

The Minnibaevo refinery processed 683.8 million cubic meters of the associated petroleum gas and 285.6 thousand tons of a broad fraction of hydrocarbons (NGL) in 2008. The refinery produced 368.6 million cubic meters of stripped gas; 554.1 thousand tons of liquid products; 346 thousand tons of liquefied gas; 138.3 thousand tons of stable gasoline; 95.6 thousand tons of ethane, 1,692.7 thousand tons of nitrogen; 126.12 thousand tons of oxygen.