OREANDA-NEWS. The Grupa LOTOS refinery was recognised as the most energy efficient refinery in Central and Eastern Europe in 2012 in a ranking by Solomon Associates. At the same time, it secured one of the top positions among the most efficient refineries globally.

The Solomon Associates ranking, which compares hundreds of refineries all around the globe, is the most important global benchmark for refineries, enjoying considerable prestige among representatives of the refining sector and related industries. On September 25th 2013, experts from Solomon Associates visited Grupa LOTOS. The fuel refinery's results were presented by the President and CEO of Solomon Associates himself, Mr Dale A. Emanuel.

"From among the refineries in which I have presented the results, you are one of the best in terms of operations," Mr Emanuel said. "If we take into account the circumstances which are beyond your control, such as the location, size and configuration of the refinery, or prices and availability of feedstock, or the market, you are operating almost perfectly and there is little room for improvement."

The presented results covered the years 2011 and 2012, when all +10 Programme units had already been launched. Solomon's experts examine fuel and oil refineries separately. The Grupa LOTOS refinery is both, but in line with the Company's long-term development strategy, a vast majority of the units are used in the fuel refinery, including the most advanced installations, built as part of the +10 Programme.

Solomon's experts analyse all aspects of refining operations, comprising several dozen categories. In each category, the refinery is compared with similar installations from different reference groups, i.e. refineries which are located in the same region or have similar size or configuration.

"This high praise, which comes from independent consultants, gives me great satisfaction, also because this is the fifth study in which we have participated," Marek Sokolowski, Vice-President of the Management Board and Chief Operation Officer, commented on the results. "Compared to two years ago, we improved considerably in several areas, and I believe that in two years this trend will continue."

Mr Sokolowski emphasised that the results achieved in a number of the categories are a proof of the refinery's strong competitive position and that those advantages should be skilfully leveraged on the market.

"The results are also an indication of required investments," he added. "Mr Emanuel confirmed the rationale behind our decision to rapidly develop our residual product coking project."

The LOTOS refinery achieved the best score in the energy efficiency category, winning first place in Central and Eastern Europe and ranking high in the first quartile on the international list. These high positions are the best evidence of effective implementation of strategic objectives in responsible energy management, given that energy costs account for more than a half of the refinery's total operating costs (apart from costs of feedstock). While Solomon reviewed the 2011-2012 period, the refinery has since then taken further steps to improve energy efficiency by installing three new, efficient process furnaces, switching CHP boilers to gas and using flare gasses to fuel the refinery, instead of burning them in flares. In addition to producing tangible savings, all of these investments have also reduced air emissions, making the Gdansk refinery more eco-friendly.