Vertex expects to complete Alabama refinery conversion in late March

In Alabama, Vertex is continuing to advance construction activities on its renewable diesel conversion project, which is designed to convert the Mobile, Alabama refinery’s existing hydrocracking unit to produce renewable diesel fuel on a standalone basis. On January 6, 2023, the company safely completed shutdown procedures on the hydrocracker unit for the next stage of construction activities, as planned. The unit is scheduled to remain offline for a total of approximately 70 days while the project is finalized, with ultimate mechanical completion expected to occur during the final week of March, 2023.

Upon completion of the project, the refinery is expected to commence production of renewable diesel in 2Q 2023. Initial volumes are planned to ramp to approximately 8 – 10 thousand barrels per day (Mbpd), with production volumes anticipated to subsequently ramp up to approximately 14 Mbpd upon installation of additional required infrastructure.

The project continues to progress on schedule and on budget, with total capital expenditures on the renewable diesel conversion project during the fourth quarter of approximately $33.2 million. Total capital expenditures spent to date on the renewable diesel project are $72 million, or approximately 76% of the total projected budget for the project of $90-$100 million.