EUROPEAN REFINERIES ARE THE LEAST PREPARED AS IMO 2020 REGULATION LOOMS LARGE Digital investment outweighs capital expenditure to help ride the storm

摘要

European refineries expect the largest impact from new IMO 2020 regulation,yet just 23% of these refineries are focussing on operational improvements targeting higher availability to make low sulphur fuels,according to a global study of senior employees in the refining industry,commissioned by Aspen Technology.The survey also revealed a shortfall globally in refineries with this focus on clean fuels,with just 37% claiming to be doing that as a result of IMO 2020.However,four out of ten(43%)refineries globally are focusing on operational improvements targeted at improved overall utilisation,relying on digital investment to secure operational efficiency improvements,with mid-sized refineries focussing on this most,in a’survival of the fittest’battle in the lower quartiles.Nearly two-thirds of oil refineries,globally,(64%)have not made any capital expenditure against IMO 2020 regulations.