Blast-damaged plant of Mohammedia refinery restarts activity

Production unit N. 3 of "la Samir" refinery in Mohammedia (40km north of Casablanca) that was out of order for about 8 months because of a blast that also damaged several other fittings restarted its activities again, la Samir said in a release.

The unit processes some 11,000 tons of crude oil per day and produces fuel, diesel oil, kerosene, semi-finished oil and butane.

With the new plant back in service, La Samir reaches a processing capacity of 23,000 tons per day, that is 10 percent superior to its capacity before the blast. Units 1 and 2 were repaired last January and March.

La Samir says it operated a total renewal of the unit's electric material and instrumentation, improved operational efficiency of kilns and fractionating columns, and reinforced safety measures..

Two other units, the oil production and finished gas units, are scheduled to restart activities respectively on August 30 and December 31.