MOSCOW (MRC) -- Ecopetrol, the largest petroleum company in Colombia, has selected Aspen GDOT dynamic optimization software as part of its digitalization initiative to improve refining margins at its two refineries in Cartagena and Barrancabermeja, and upgrading to Aspen DMC3 advanced process control software in Barrancabermeja refinery, said the company.
"Optimizing production and increasing margins in today’s downstream business environment requires digital technology that enables refineries to see the entire process and make adjustments based on real-time data,” said Francisco Trespalacios Vergara, digital downstream champion at Ecopetrol. "This combination of AspenTech solutions gives us unparalleled visibility and control so that we can respond to changes in market conditions and align our planning, optimization and control strategies at our Cartagena and Barrancabermeja facilities with our global models. These solutions also fit in with our corporate digitalization initiative that we call ‘Best of the Best,’ which is an effort to deploy the ideal technology solutions to meet our needs across the organization."
Ecopetrol on December 25, 2020 resumed production of high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE) in the city of Barrancabermeja (Barrancabermeja, Colombia), previously closed due to a shortage of raw materials - ethylene. This production with a capacity of 23,000 tonnes of LDPE per year was closed for repair on 18 November.
It was previously reported that Ecopetrol intends to double sales by 2023. Ecopetrol sees opportunities to expand sales of aromatics, LDPE, solvents, base oils and asphalt in Colombia and other countries.
The company manages the production of PP with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes and LDPE with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year. Ecopetrol has about 90% of the aromatics market in Ecuador and 60% in Peru.
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 241,030 tonnes in January 2021 versus 217,890 tonnes a year earlier. Only shipments of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 141,870 tonnes in January 2021 versus 123,520 tonnes a year earlier. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased.
MRC