Neste begins preparations for major turnaround at refinery in Porvoo, Finland

Photo: Neste Corp.

At Neste Corp.’s refinery in Porvoo, Finland, the preparations for a major turnaround taking place April to June began April 1 with shutdowns of process units.

After the refinery shutdown is completed, the actual turnaround works will begin in mid-April and are expected to continue until mid-May.

The estimated duration of the turnaround is approximately nine weeks.

During the major turnaround, the entire Porvoo refinery will be shut down for statutory inspections, maintenance works and asset-improvement initiatives.

In addition, the turnaround will contribute to Neste’s ambition to make the Porvoo refinery the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030 and to reach carbon-neutral production by 2035.

The major turnaround does not affect Neste’s harbor and distribution-terminal operations. 

“More than a hundred audited contractor companies and a total of some 4,500 people, including about a thousand Neste employees, are participating in the turnaround works,” said Sami Wasström, the head of turnarounds from Neste’s oil-products business. “In all turnaround works, we ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and partners. Our ambition is to make every turnaround day a safe day.”

Careful planning has enabled Neste to shorten the duration of the 2024 major turnaround compared to previous major turnarounds in Porvoo.

Shutdowns and startups of process units temporarily cause increased flaring, noise and odor nuisance in the nearby areas.

During the major shutdown, traffic volumes in the nearby area increase considerably.

“We always plan major turnarounds very diligently,” Wasström said. “It is important to us that the turnaround interferes with the life of the local residents and businesses as little as possible and that the impact is short termed.”

With temporary parking and traffic arrangements, the aim is to ensure smooth traffic flow during the major turnaround.

A temporary parking area and adjacent services have been arranged for the contractors participating in the turnaround.

Neste organizes continuous shuttle-bus transportation from the temporary parking area to the turnaround site for the contractors. 

The buses and heavy machinery used in the turnaround are powered by Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ with which the greenhouse-gas emissions from the use of heavy machinery and bus transports during the turnaround can be reduced by 90 percent on average compared to the use of fossil diesel.