Shell plc’s Pernis refinery in the Netherlands, the biggest refinery in Europe, has been shut down due to a malfunction, complicating an already tight fuel supply situation in the region.
On Oct. 12, the compressor of fluid catalytic cracker unit 2 tripped due to a loss of power supply, Bloomberg reported. The plant, located near Rotterdam, is a conversion facility that is usually used to produce refined products like gasoline, and is a key diesel supplier in Europe. The malfunction resulted in flaring of high amounts of gas, which led to 200 complaints being filed by residents of the region.
“The technical cause of the disruption has been found. Based on an investigation, it was decided to shut down the installation in question in a controlled and safe manner. This will put an end to the nuisance to the environment,” the company said in an Oct. 13 update, adding that they will carry out repairs on the installation in the coming days….