Restructuring of Mid-downstream
At a time when the sector is enjoying an economic revival, Eni’s Downstream strategy focuses on innovation and making the most of our expertise, while still thinking of the environment.
A strategy based on efficiency
Reorganisation and growth to optimise operating processes and green reconversions.
Reorganisation of the Mid-downstream sector
Reorganisation of the Mid-downstream sector has been a success and provided partial compensation for falling oil prices. These are the aims that Eni is pursuing with regard to downstream:- a relaunch for the sector
- renewed emphasis on the exploitation of expertise and innovation
- extensive promotion of the environment and sustainability
Reorganising the refining and marketing and chemistry sector allowed us to reduce the breakeven price of oil refining from $7.5 per barrel (2013 data) to $4 per barrel in 2016, with a further reduction to $3 per barrel forecast by 2018. This process will involve:
- the reduction of oil-refining capacity by more than 30 per cent thanks to the conversion of two bio-refinery plants (Venice and Gela)
- real improvements in efficiency by optimising the way in which we use our plants.
Thanks to our technologies, we were the first in the world to convert a traditional refinery to bio-refinery. We expect to produce one million tons of green diesel by 2020.
Claudio Descalzi
Specifically, we have invested in proprietary technologies. EcofiningTM – a project for the development of top-quality biofuel – gave us green diesel, which in turn led to the bringing to market of new Eni Diesel +. The latter cuts polluting emissions considerably.
The oil refining process
Eni's oil-refining operation in Italy consists of three refineries of its own (Sannazzaro, Livorno and Taranto) plus a half share in that of Milazzo. Here’s the detail:- Sannazzaro: one of the most efficient refineries in Europe, thanks to the use of proprietary Eni Slurry Technology (EST).
- Taranto: the refinery is integrated with the Upstream sector through deposits in Val d'Agri in Basilicata and connected via a pipeline.
- Livorno: produces lubricants and specialist products.
- Milazzo: is located on Sicily's northern coast.
Furthermore, in Italy we have converted the former Venice oil refinery into a bio-refinery (the first example of this type of transformation in the world) and commenced the conversion of the Gela refinery:
- Venice (Porto Marghera): has a capacity of approximately 360,000 tons/year of green diesel produced from refined vegetable oils using Eni EcofiningTM technology.
- Gela: in November 2014, a plan to overhaul the Gela site was approved. The aim of the agreement was the conversion of the refinery into a bio-refinery.
