CVR nears completion of feedstock pretreatment unit
August 1, 2023
BY Erin Krueger
CVR Energy Inc. expects the feedstock pretreatment unit (PTU) at its Wynnewood refinery in Oklahoma to become operational later this year. The company is also in discussions with potential partners to develop an additional renewable fuels project, which could include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity.
Company officials discussed both the existing Wynnewood renewable diesel project and the potential for future renewable diesel and SAF projects during a second quarter earnings call, held July 31.
According to CVR, the renewable diesel unit at the Wynnewood refinery continued to increase production during the second quarter, with total vegetable oil throughputs for the three-month period at approximately 17.8 million gallons, down from 22.4 million gallons in the first quarter due to a planned catalyst change.
Advertisement
David Lamp, CEO of CVR Energy, said the company switched catalyst providers with the most recent change and, so far, is seeing an increase in renewable diesel yields. Dane Neumann, chief financial officer of CVR, said third quarter throughput for the renewable diesel unit is expected to be in the range of 17 million gallons to 22 million gallons.
According to Lamp, construction on the feedstock PTU continues to progress. Delays in equipment delivery, however, have shifted the expected in-service date from the third quarter of this year to the fourth quarter.
CVR is also continuing to explore the possibility of adding renewable capacity to its Coffeyville refining complex in Coffeyville, Kansas. The company previously indicated that the Coffeyville complex is an attractive location for renewables development due to its proximity to the farm belt, excess hydrogen, and existing CO2 sequestration capabilities.
Advertisement
During the second quarter earnings call, Lamp said the company has been engaging in preliminary discussions over the past few months with various parties that may be interested in partnering on a renewable diesel project with an option for SAF at the Coffeyville complex. He added CVR is currently contemplating a significantly larger project than it developed at Wynnewood.
Related Stories
The U.S. EPA on July 8 hosted virtual public hearing to gather input on the agency’s recently released proposed rule to set 2026 and 2027 RFS RVOs. Members of the biofuel industry were among those to offer testimony during the event.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is implementing multiple changes to the Camelina pilot insurance program for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. The changes will expand coverage options and provide greater flexibility for producers.
EcoCeres Inc. has signed a multi-year agreement to supply British Airways with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The fuel will be produced from 100% waste-based biomass feedstock, such as used cooking oil (UCO).
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service on June 30 released its annual Acreage report, estimating that 83.4 million acres of soybeans have been planted in the U.S. this year, down 4% when compared to 2024.
SAF Magazine and the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative announced the preliminary agenda for the North American SAF Conference and Expo, being held Sept. 22-24 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Upcoming Events
