NPRA Annual Meeting 2004
Distillation Capacity Grew with Conversion Capacity
Source: EIA – Corrected 12/2004
SIn addition to distillation capacity, downstream unit capacity has also grown.  This graph illustrates that distillation capacity has grown to maintain balanced refinery operations in that FCC and distillation capacity growth are very similar.

SCoking and hydrocracking can be changed to accommodate different types of crude feeds and alter product mix, but may need little associated distillation capacity growth.  However, some distillation capacity increase is fairly common in conjunction with coker projects.

SIn recent years, refiners have been increasing treating capacity to lower product fuel suflur and improve other product qualities.  During this time, we have seen little change in distillation capacity.

SWhat this tells us is that historically there has been a much stronger link between conversion capacity growth and primary distillation capacity growth than with increased treating capacity increases.

SThis implies that with refiners focusing on treating capacity right now, the United States may see little distillation capacity increase for another year or two.