July 30, 2024
BY Erin Voegele
CVR Energy Inc. on July 29 reported that the renewable diesel unit at its Wynnewood refinery in Oklahoma processed nearly 12 million gallons of feedstock during the second quarter. The company continues to consider a pivot to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.
According to CVR, Wynnewood’s renewable diesel unit had total vegetable oil throughput of approximately 11.7 million gallons during the second quarter, down form 17.8 million gallons during the same period of last year. The decrease is primarily attributed to the turnaround at the Wynnewood refinery and a catalyst change at the renewable diesel unit during the spring of 2024. The facility also experienced downtime due to a fire in April.
During a second quarter earnings call held July 30, CVR Energy CEO David Lamp said the feedstock pretreatment unit is currently operating at planned rates. So far, the company is seeing an improvement in renewable diesel yield and resulting economics at current market prices, he added.
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Lamp confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding the potential conversion of Wynnewood’s renewable diesel to 100% SAF. He also noted that the company expects to have a development plan ready within the next few months related to the possible development of a larger renewables project at CVR’s Coffeyville refinery in Kansas. According to Lamp, CVR continues to believe there will be a market for renewable diesel and SAF moving forward.
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