ExxonMobil shuts units at U.K.’s Fawley oil refinery

February 04, 2011 | North Sea & Western Europe, Refining & Processing

Exxonmobil refinery

ExxonMobil Corp. shut two processing units at Fawley, the U.K.’s largest refinery, for about six weeks of planned maintenance from today.

“The refinery will shut down one of its pipestills (primary distillation units) and one of the powerformers,” the company said in a statement on its website today. “The work is expected to continue throughout February and on to mid-March.”

The refinery can process about 320,000 barrels of crude oil a day and supplies 15 percent of Britain’s petroleum products, according to the country’s Petroleum Industry Association. Refiners regularly halt equipment for inspections and repairs to prevent problems and ensure efficient operations.

Powerformers make blending components for gasoline. Exxon Mobil is based in Irving, Texas.