The Section V expansion at the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) in Regina is complete, and production has begun in the new units.
Work continues on associated revamps which, when complete, will bring the total investment in the project to $2.66 billion.
The Regina-based refinery now has the capacity to process up to 145,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, an increase of 45 per cent from its previous total of 100,000 bpd.
“Completion of Section V is indeed a time of celebration for everyone at the Co-op Refinery Complex and for all of us involved in the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS),” said Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) CEO Scott Banda.
“The refinery, throughout its 77-year history has taken great pride in ensuring a stable supply of quality fuel for our retail co-ops, their members and other customers. With Section V complete, and with revamps finished soon, the CRS is positioned to meet future supply needs and continue our tradition of fueling the economic growth and prosperity of western Canada.”
The Co-op Refinery Complex, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FCL and its 230 member-owned retail co-operatives, began processing crude oil through the new units in mid-October. During the past several weeks, extensive and vigilant pre-start up monitoring and verifications were conducted to ensure Section V’s readiness for a safe and effective start-up.
Section V consists of five new state-of-the-art processing units, which increases the total to 33 at the Refinery. It is supported by 14 additional storage tanks and vessels as well as new firewater, flare, plant and instrument systems, cooling tower and electrical substation.
Throughout the expansion and associated revamps, more than 150 companies provided contracted services. At the peak of construction, almost 5,000 additional people a day were on-site helping to complete the project. Over the past three years the project provided almost 8,000 person years of additional employment to thousands of residents and brought approximately $5 billion in economic activity to Saskatchewan.
The Co-op Refinery Complex employs more than 800 people on a permanent basis. Its annual payroll is in excess of $100 million. More than 1,000 additional people are employed and contracted annually during peak maintenance periods and routine maintenance turnarounds.
The CRC began production in 1935 by producing 500 barrels of crude oil per day and has since grown to be the fourth largest refinery in Canada.
