Refining
Created on 2004
Following the ARPEL, OLADE and World Bank Studies on the Refining Sector Development and Downstream Reform in Latin America and the Caribbean, this Committee was created to study - in detail - management and strategic issues related to the present and future refining business in the Region aiming at supporting its sustainability.
On July, 2007 the Committee expanded the topics addressed, incorporating the remit of the –former- Atmospheric Emissions and Fuels Working Groups. Since then, it not only addresses refining management and strategic issues, but also other issues related to fuels, atmospheric emissions and air quality.
Objectives
To foster the sector sustainability through processes’ integrity management. To interact with key stakeholders and communicate the contributions and needs of the sector to target audience. *To promote the effective cooperation among Member Companies, exchanging experiences and best practices
Achievements
Development of several guidelines and reports as well as organization of international Seminars to address refining, atmospheric emissions, air quality, and fuels and biofuels issues. Development of joint activities with the municipalities of the Region through the Clean Air Initiative for Latin American Cities. Together with the Municipalities of Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Santiago, the emission factors of in-service vehicles were measured contributing to their efforts to improve their urban air quality management programs. Consolidation of harmonized databases on refineries configuration, and present and future technical regulated specifications for fuels in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as their average typical values. Creation of a space of dialogue between the Automotive and Oil Industries in order to establish a stronger relationship and interaction and get mutual benefits.
Activities
The ARPEL Refining Committee (RefCom) is focused in addressing –from its operational perspective- three areas of the ARPEL strategic focus: relations with communities, operational integrity, and eco-efficiency. Regarding operational integrity management or integral environment, health and safety management, The RefCom is working in Mechanical Integrity and Risks Analysis.
The Committee is also working in other relevant activities, as follows:
Improvement of virtual interaction among Member Companies through the development of networks involving the Committee Members and other experts. A guideline on biofuels, with the objective to record the best practices of implementation programs on the production and use of biofuels based on the experience gained, the difficulties noted and the success achieved by the different countries of the Region and others. *Organization of a Workshop on “Methodologies to manage large refining projects in Latin America and the Caribbean” to be held on November 4, 2009 as part of the Latin-American Refining Congress in Mendoza, ARGENTINA.
ARPEL Members presently participating in this Committee are: ANCAP, Chevron, ECOPETROL, ENAP, ExxonMobil, IAPG, IBP, PCJ , PDVSA, PETROBRAS, PETROECUADOR, PETROPERU, PETROTRIN, RECOPE, REFIDOMSA, Repsol YPF, STAATSOLIE, Wintershall and WPC
Managers
The Project Manager of this committee is Irene Alfaro.
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