40,000 kMTA in 2015. The growth rate is expected to be approximately 6 % over
the next decade. Capacity utilizations range from 75 % to 95 % and, when high,
tend to drive investment for new capacity. The market is fairly cyclic for addition of
new capacity.
Trends and Regulations
As previously mentioned, the first SR type reforming unit was introduced in 1949
by UOP. At its peak, over 700 fixed-bed reforming units were in operation. The first
continuous regeneration type reforming unit was introduced in 1971 by UOP.
In 2014, approximately 300 continuous type units were in operation, 250 designed
and licensed by UOP, and the balance from Axens IFP Group. IHS Cera data (Fig. 7)
indicate that the total global reforming capacity for refining was about 13.3 million
B/D in 2013, 7.2 from SR type units, and 6.1 from continuous type units.
Due to the improved efficiency of CCR type units, the majority of new units
licensed today are the continuous type. While most are new units, some are
conversions from existing SR units. It is estimated that the number of SR units
today is less than 400 in part due to conversion to CCR or even isomerization but
also due to shutdown because of age or lack of demand for gasoline. Cyclic fixedbed reforming units total less than 30 as of 2014, and the expectation is for
continued retirement due to maintenance costs and efficiency issues. Shutdown of
fixed-bed reformers is most prevalent in developed regions such as the USA,
Europe, and Japan. This can be observed in the capacity trends: in 1990, SR
reformate capacity was 8.8 million B/D (85 %) and CCR was 1.6 million B/D.
It is projected that in 2020, three decades later, SR reformate capacity will be
7.2 million B/D (49 %) and CCR will be 7.6 million B/D.
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
BPD x 1000
Reforming Unit Capacity
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2005
Reformer - semi - regenerative
Reformer - continuous
2010
2011
2012
source: IHS Cera 2014
2013
Fig. 7 Reforming capacity
242
M.P. Lapinski et al.
the next decade. Capacity utilizations range from 75 % to 95 % and, when high,
tend to drive investment for new capacity. The market is fairly cyclic for addition of
new capacity.
Trends and Regulations
As previously mentioned, the first SR type reforming unit was introduced in 1949
by UOP. At its peak, over 700 fixed-bed reforming units were in operation. The first
continuous regeneration type reforming unit was introduced in 1971 by UOP.
In 2014, approximately 300 continuous type units were in operation, 250 designed
and licensed by UOP, and the balance from Axens IFP Group. IHS Cera data (Fig. 7)
indicate that the total global reforming capacity for refining was about 13.3 million
B/D in 2013, 7.2 from SR type units, and 6.1 from continuous type units.
Due to the improved efficiency of CCR type units, the majority of new units
licensed today are the continuous type. While most are new units, some are
conversions from existing SR units. It is estimated that the number of SR units
today is less than 400 in part due to conversion to CCR or even isomerization but
also due to shutdown because of age or lack of demand for gasoline. Cyclic fixedbed reforming units total less than 30 as of 2014, and the expectation is for
continued retirement due to maintenance costs and efficiency issues. Shutdown of
fixed-bed reformers is most prevalent in developed regions such as the USA,
Europe, and Japan. This can be observed in the capacity trends: in 1990, SR
reformate capacity was 8.8 million B/D (85 %) and CCR was 1.6 million B/D.
It is projected that in 2020, three decades later, SR reformate capacity will be
7.2 million B/D (49 %) and CCR will be 7.6 million B/D.
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
BPD x 1000
Reforming Unit Capacity
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2005
Reformer - semi - regenerative
Reformer - continuous
2010
2011
2012
source: IHS Cera 2014
2013
Fig. 7 Reforming capacity
242
M.P. Lapinski et al.