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Gazprom Neft has produced its first batch of 0.1 percent sulphur marine fuel at its refining facility in Omsk, southwest Siberia.

The Russian firm said in a statement that it intends to transport up to 50,000 tonnes of the 2020-compliant marine fuel by the end of this year, and calculates its market potential to be 158,000 tonnes per year.

The new low-sulphur marine fuel produced in Omsk is to be sold by its marine bunkering subsidiary Gazpromneft Marine Bunker.

Gazprom Neft says the technology used to produce low-sulphur marine fuels via the catalytic cracking of hydrotreated vacuum gas oil was developed by specialists of the Omsk Refinery in 2016.

The new brand formulation includes an additive that reduces cold-flow (reciprocal viscosity) temperature and prevents wax settlement in the fuel.

Production of this new marine fuel was made possible via a project involving the reconstruction of commercial production facilities, and implemented as part of the Omsk Refinery's modernisation programme.

During reconstruction, more than three kilometres of pipelines were installed, running from the KT-1/1 atmospheric residue deep conversion unit to the compressor station, and the overhead rail-loading rack was modernised. Total investment in the project stands at RUB 200 million ($3.5 million).

The new marine fuel is a RMG 80 low-viscosity grade with a sulphur content of less than 1000 parts per million (ppm).

Image: The Omsk Refinery, operated by Gazprom Neft. Credit: Gazprom Neft.