Hyundai to Expand Hydrocracking Unit at Balikpapan Refinery

Hyundai Engineering Co. has secured a US$ 100 million contract to expand the hydrocracking unit of the Balikpapan Refinery, Indonesia. It was the third PT Pertamina’s (Persero) tender won by the South Korean company as part of the US$ 3.97 billion Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project.

A hydrocracking unit or hydrocracker is a device that uses hydrogen and a catalyst to break down crude oil molecules into various products, including naphtha. Once the additional capacity is ready, the Balikpapan Refinery’s hydrocracking unit can process 60,000 barrels per day, higher than the current capacity at 55,000 barrels per day.