Whitegate pumps renewable diesels

CONOCO-PHILLIPS, the international energy giant that owns the Whitegate refinery, has begun commercial production of renewable diesel fuel for the Irish market at the Cork facility.

According to the company, it is producing 1,000 barrels — or 150,000 litres — of renewable diesel per day, which is designed for sale into the Irish market.

The company is producing the fuel by using soybean and other vegetable oils to produce renewable diesel fuel that meets current EU standards.

The fuel is produced using existing equipment at the refinery and is blended and transported with petroleum-based diesel, unlike biodiesel fuel.

The process can also be used to convert animal fats and oils to renewable diesel fuel.

ConocoPhillips developed the production process and conducted a successful test run at Whitegate last year. Soybean oil will be the primary renewable feedstock used, although the plant can also produce renewable diesel using rapeseed oil and other vegetable oils.

The reduction in hydrocarbon based emissions will contribute to Ireland’s progress in meeting carbon dioxide emission standards required under the Kyoto protocol, according to the company.

“We have developed an economical means of producing renewable diesel fuel that burns more cleanly than conventional diesel fuel and contributes to energy diversification. Fuel source diversification will help meet the world’s growing demand for energy,” said the company’s president of Europe refining, marketing and transportation, Bob Hassler.

ConocoPhillips is one of the companies that has directly benefited from the excise relief for biofuel projects, which along with funding to assist the development of indigenous biofuel plants, announced in last year’s budget, will see more than €200 million in Government funding being invested over the next four years.