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This post was last edited by Jinma Water Damage Control on 2025-12-18 at 07:54. On the morning of December 16, the civil work for the 550,000-ton/year light hydrocarbon recovery unit as part of Hunan Petrochemical’s ethylene refining and integration project commenced, marking the official start of construction on the new facilities approved in the second batch of this refining expansion project. It is said that once this facility is completed and put into operation, it will not only help to enhance the supply of ethylene raw materials as well as the recovery and utilization of hydrogen resources, but it will also serve as an important link in completing Hunan Petrochemical’s comprehensive oil refining and chemical industry chain. At that time, the new unit will also replace the existing light hydrocarbon recovery unit, creating favorable conditions for the second-phase capacity expansion of Hunan Petrochemical’s 8 million tons per year atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit. The Hunan Petrochemical ethylene refining and integration project for oil processing upgrades includes upgrading one existing vacuum distillation unit with a capacity of 8 million tons per year, as well as building four new units for light hydrocarbon recovery and hydrocracking. Among them, the capacity expansion and renovation of the atmospheric and vacuum distillation units are carried out in two phases; in the first phase, the existing facilities are renovated taking advantage of the major maintenance period in 2025 ； New area in the second phase. By then, the new and existing areas will be connected, all expansion and renovation tasks will be completed, resulting in an oil refining capacity of tens of millions of tons. Project Overview: The Yueyang Ethylene Project has attracted significant attention from the industry since its initiation. Key information regarding its approval, investment, and location highlights the project’s strategic importance and overall strength. The project was led by Sinopec Hunan Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (Hunan Petrochemical) in its development, and went through a rigorous approval process: it received formal approval from the Hunan Provincial Development and Reform Commission on September 16, 2023, and obtained the environmental impact assessment approval from the Hunan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment on December 13 of the same year, thus laying a solid foundation for the lawful and compliant advancement of the project. In terms of investment scale, the total investment of 35.68 billion yuan set a record for individual industrial project investments in Hunan, far exceeding that of similar chemical projects in the region. The project is located in the Changling and Baling areas of the Yueyang Green Chemical High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, with a total land area of 254.9 hectares (approximately 3,823.5 mu), of which 200 hectares in the Changling North New Area serve as the core construction area. In terms of the schedule, construction on the project began officially on January 3, 2024. An investment of 2.08 billion yuan is planned for 2025, with completion expected by 2027. The rapid pace from start of construction to commissioning reflects the efficiency with which the project is being advanced. Centered on the concept of \"ethylene refining and chemical processing integration,\" the construction project involves the planning and establishment of 18 chemical processing units along with related oil refining upgrades, thereby creating a complete industrial cycle that includes oil refining, ethylene production, and the manufacture of downstream derivatives. Additionally, comprehensive energy supply facilities will be provided. 1. Two core projects: ethylene-driven + refining support. The ethylene project serves as the core of the initiative and comprises 14 units, which are located in both the Changling New Area and the Baling Old Area. 10 new key units have been built in the Changling New Area; among them, the 1 million tons per year ethylene plant serves as the \"heart\" of the entire project. Additionally, facilities for the hydrogenation of 500,000 tons per year of pyrolysis gasoline, aromatic extraction on a scale of 300,000 tons per year, EVA production at 300,000 tons per year, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) production at 400,000 tons per year have been constructed, covering the entire process from ethylene production to the processing of high-value-added products downstream ； The Baling old industrial area is equipped with 4 sets of specialized facilities, including units for the separation of C5 compounds at a capacity of 150,000 tons per year, production of propylene oxide at 300,000 tons per year, and production of phenol and other products at capacities of 220,000/130,000 tons per year, all focused on the manufacturing of fine chemical products. The supporting reform projects for oil refining are being carried out simultaneously; 4 units will be built, including a 3 million tons per year hydrocracking complex and a 60,000 tons per year sulfur recovery unit. By optimizing the oil refining process, high-quality raw materials can be supplied for ethylene cracking, thereby achieving synergy between oil refining and chemical production. 2. Supporting facilities: Energy supply ensures stable operation. To support the operation of large-scale facilities, the project is equipped with adequate energy supply systems: three 410t/h high-temperature and high-pressure coal-fired boilers along the Changling area, along with two 50MW backpressure turbines; in the Baling area, there are two 520t/h high-temperature and high-pressure coal-fired boilers (one in use and one as a backup), thereby creating a stable supply system for heat and electricity to ensure the continuous and efficient operation of the facilities.