ExxonMobil invests through the downturn for future efficiency

ExxonMobil is investing in cogen power generation for its refining operations. The result is increased energy efficiency and reduced GHG emissions, writes Tom Nicholls

Not much land goes to waste in the port of Antwerp: cranes, storage tanks and other industrial paraphernalia are crammed into the flatlands around the River Scheldt's estuary and its fragmented grid of waterways. One of Europe's biggest petroleum hubs, the Belgian port handles over 180m tonnes a year (t/y) of trade and – measured by container traffic – is Europe's third-largest port. ExxonMobil's Antwerp refinery, which Petroleum Economist visited last month for the inauguration of an on-site, 130 megawatt (MW) cogeneration (cogen) power plant, is wedged in between refineries owned by Total and independent refiner Petroplus. Such is the lack of space that ExxonMobil had to site the new unit