{{Short description|Oil refinery in Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka}} {{Infobox oil refinery | name = Sapugaskanda Refinery | image = | image alt = | caption = | location_map = Sri Lanka | coordinates = {{Coord|06|57|57|N|79|57|30|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | country = Sri Lanka | province = Western Province | city = Sapugaskanda | operator = | owner = CEYPETCO | founded = {{Start date and age|1969|10|12}} | closure = <!-- {{End date|YYYY}} --> | capacity = {{convert|50,000|oilbbl|m3|lk=on}} per stream day | employees = 1,100 | ref units = | oil tank = 65 | oil refining center = }}
The '''Sapugaskanda Refinery''' (also referred to as '''Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery''') is the single largest oil refinery of Sri Lanka. The refinery was built in August 1969 by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation under the guidance of Iran,<ref name="Reuters-2018">{{cite news |last1=Aneez |first1=Shihar |title=Iran agrees to build new refinery for Sri Lanka |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sri-lanka-iran-refinery/iran-agrees-to-build-new-refinery-for-sri-lanka-govt-spokesman-idUSL3N1SN4H9 |accessdate=19 February 2019 |publisher=Reuters |date=16 May 2018}}</ref> initially designed to process {{convert|38,000|oilbbl|m3}} per stream day of Dubai crude oil, and Arabian light crude oil. (Medium sour crude oil) It was commissioned on 12 October 1969. The facility, which covers an area of {{Convert|165|acre}},<ref name="DailyNews-April2018">{{cite news |title=Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery back at work after renovation |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/04/20/business/148763/sapugaskanda-oil-refinery-back-work-after-renovation |accessdate=19 February 2019 |work=Daily News |date=20 April 2018}}</ref> currently{{when|date=January 2020}} has a capacity of {{convert|50,000|oilbbl|m3|lk=on}} per stream day.<ref name="CEYPETCO">{{cite web |title=Sapugaskanda Refinery |url=http://ceypetco.gov.lk/refinery/ |website=Ceylon Petroleum Corporation |accessdate=19 February 2019}}</ref>
As with most refineries, the Sapugaskanda Refinery has an in-house utilities section which supplies electricity, water, steam, instrument air, and other necessities for operations. In total, 65 storage tanks are located at the premises for storage of crude oil, finished, and other products, five of which has a capacity of {{Convert|40,000|tonne|long ton|lk=on}}.<ref name="DailyNews-April2018" /> A further four crude oil tanks located in the separate Orugodawatta tank farm.<ref name="CEYPETCO" />
== History == * The initial survey for the refinery was conducted in 1963.<ref name="SundayTimes-2012">{{cite news |last1=Wickremasekara |first1=Damith |title=Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery upgrade under review |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120506/News/nws_37.html |accessdate=19 February 2019 |publisher=Sunday Times |date=6 May 2012}}</ref> * On 9 May 1967, the foundation stone was laid for the refinery. Construction was handled by Snamprogetti, while the facility supervision was handled by UOP LLC.<ref name="SundayTimes-2012" /> * On 12 October 1969, the refinery was commissioned.<ref name="SundayTimes-2012" /> * In 1971, the naphtha merox unit was modified to commence production of liquefied natural gas (LNG), while SBPS production was also commenced with existing infrastructure. The crude distiller was also modified to increase capacity from {{convert|38,000|to|50,000|oilbbl|m3}} per stream day during this period. * In 1981, a kerosene merox was installed to process A-1 jet fuel, while the energy-intensive Kerosene unifiner was decommissioned. * In 1992, the crude distiller unit was again modified to support far Eastern crude oils such as Miri light crude oil, and Naphtha unifiner capacity was increased to 1100 tonne per day. * In 1999, platformer unit was modified to increase capacity to 650 tonne per day, to meet increasing gasoline demand, and to phase out lead in gasoline. * In 2003, the kerosene unifiner was modified to process diesel, and the existing gas oil unifiner was rehabilitated to meet the sulphur specification of 0.3%wt in diesel. * On 19 February 2018, the entire facility was shut down for 35 days due to a planned refurbishment project. 1,200 engineers and mechanics handled the 24×7 maintenance covering the processing units, utilities, and tank farm. The production shortage during the period was covered by importing the requirements by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.<ref name="DailyNews-April2018" />
== Power stations == Three oil-fired power stations are built at the vicinity of the refinery for ease of fuel logistics: # Sapugaskanda Power Station (160 MW) - Owned by the Ceylon Electricity Board # Lakdhanavi Power Station (24 MW) - Owned by Lakdhanavi (Private) Limited # Asia Power Sapugaskanda Power Station (51 MW) - Owned by Asia Power (Private) Limited
== See also == * Energy in Sri Lanka * Hambantota Refinery
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Electricity in Sri Lanka}}
Category:Oil refineries in Sri Lanka Category:Buildings and structures in Gampaha District Category:Industrial buildings completed in 1969 Category:1969 establishments in Ceylon