ExxonMobil’s Baytown site is the largest integrated petrochemical complex in the U.S. and is one of the most technologically advanced petroleum and petrochemical complexes in the world. Founded in 1919, the complex is located on approximately 3,400 acres along the Houston Ship Channel, about 25 miles east of Houston. The facility includes a refinery, two chemical plants, an engineering office and a global technology center.
Increasing US production of base stocks with refinery expansion
HOUSTON – April 29, 2015 – ExxonMobil is increasing production of its Group II and Group II+ EHC™ base stocks following the completion of a major expansion at its Baytown, Texas, refinery. In addition to expanding its production of Group II+ EHC 45, ExxonMobil is also introducing a new Group II EHC 65 base stock designed for blending heavy-duty engine oils.
Base stocks are the primary ingredients used in the production of high-quality base oils, lubricants and greases. Group II base stocks are higher in purity, resulting in improved performance advantages in many lubricant and process oil applications.
“The Baytown refinery expansion project positions ExxonMobil to continue to meet customer requirements for high-quality Group II and Group II+ base stocks both today and into the future,” said George W. Arndt, Jr., general manager of Global Basestocks & Specialties for ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants. “In addition to increasing our supply of our Group II+ EHC 45, we are introducing Group II EHC 65 and are now able to provide our customers with even broader blend coverage while helping to improve supply chain efficiency.”
“This important investment, which was originally announced in 2013, reflects our continued commitment to the Baytown community and marks another significant milestone at our world-class facility,” said Matt Crocker, manager of ExxonMobil’s Baytown refinery. “Investing in this technology reinforces our competitive position in the global environment.”
ExxonMobil’s Group II/II+ EHC products have been designed with the low-temperature properties, volatility and viscosities needed to cover a wide range of engine oils. EHC 45 is designed for blending 5W and heavier passenger car motor oils. EHC 65 is ideal for heavy-duty engine oils and optimizes 15W-40 blending by minimizing the need for additional higher-viscosity components while maintaining low volatility. Together, they enable important emerging grades such as heavy-duty 10W-30.
The products produced at Baytown can help blenders achieve greater base oil formulation flexibility, simplified global qualification testing and enhanced product integrity. In addition, the products are designed to meet evolving base oils industry requirements and incorporate ExxonMobil’s proprietary MSDW™ and MAXSAT™ catalyst and process technologies.
"We have enhanced the formulation of our Group II/II+ base stocks to significantly improve their low-temperature performance at a given viscosity,” said David Parsons, Americas base stocks sales manager for ExxonMobil. “In addition, the expansion of our Group II+ EHC 45 base stock capacity will allow blenders to produce 5W passenger car motor oils without having to use a more expensive Group III base stock.”
The completion of the expansion of the Baytown refinery is in addition to the company’s previously announced plans to expand its Group II EHC base stock capacity at its Singapore refinery. That expansion will help meet the need for additional base stocks capacity to the Asia-Pacific region.
About ExxonMobil basestocks
As one of the world’s largest suppliers of base stocks and leading licensors of base stock technology, ExxonMobil produces Group I, Group II/II+ and synthetic base stocks at strategically located refineries around the world. ExxonMobil’s base stocks are designed to provide enhanced performance capabilities in applications ranging from engine oils to industrial lubricants. ExxonMobil’s CORE Group I and EHC Group II slates meet more than 90 percent of the industry’s base stock needs and offer broader blend coverage and the potential to reduce supply chain complexity while meeting evolving industry requirements.