Triangle Energy investigates coprocessing to produce renewable diesel, marine biofuel in Australia

Australian oil producer and explorer Triangle Energy (Global) Ltd. announced the start of a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for a proposed 5,000 barrel per day (77 million gallons per year) modular, flexible-feed biorefinery in Western Australia to coprocess crude oil, condensate, and bio-crude feedstocks. The project, according to Triangle Energy, aims to deliver both renewable diesel and marine biofuel for the Western Australian market. The site for the proposed project is located adjacent to the Arrowsmith Separation Plant south of Dongara.

Triangle Energy has selected Texas-based Plant Process Group LLC to conduct the FEED study.

“The application of unique catalyst refining technology will be the first deployment of coprocessing renewable fuel refining in Australia,” the company stated.

Rob Towner, Triangle Energy managing director and CEO, said, “The Triangle Energy team is very pleased to announce our investigation into the potential to establish a modern, modular renewable fuel refinery by leveraging our existing infrastructure in the Perth Basin. The proposed 5,000 barrel per day facility would be suitable for bio-crude fuel stocks as well as crude and condensate products from our Cliff Head Joint Venture as well as other onshore and offshore operations in the state. The facility will also be a potential future consumer of hydrogen and have important benefits for Western Australia’s fuel security after the planned closure of the Kwinana refinery later this decade. I look forward to sharing further details of Triangle Energy’s exciting diversification and energy transition strategy in the coming months.”

The company expects the FEED study to be complete early next year and anticipates the project to be complete and operational by 2024.