Page 54 - FINAL Phillips 66 50 Year Book
P. 54
began, using an explosive system originally designed for blasting salt
underground. In all, a total of 115,000 cubic metres of chalk was
excavated, and by May, a test cavern was sealed. Despite early concerns
raised in the media, the caverns have operated safely ever since their
commissioning.
On September 20, 1985, the Duke of Kent visited the caverns before
flying by helicopter to South Killingholme to officially inaugurate the deal
between Conoco and Calor Gas. He also unveiled a plaque and was
taken to inspect the new ABP jetty. It came on stream a month later.
This project was one of many which took place during the decade. In
1986, an $80 million fluid catalytic cracker was installed, augmenting
the ability of the refinery to meet increased requirements in Europe
for low-lead gasoline. In April 1987, a third Queen’s Award to Industry
for Export Achievement headed the refinery’s way and that autumn,
Houlton’s Covert, a nature reserve on refinery land, officially opened.
The decade delivered even more expansions and investment, and
the roll call is impressive: No.3 Demineralisation Plant commissioning
(1980); propane and heavy oil storage expansion, a new larger Tetney
Above: FCC - Fluid Catalytic Cracker. monobuoy commissioning, and a Saturate Gas Plant commissioning
Right: No.1 Coker and Thermal Cracker expansion (1981); Gas Turbine Alternator commissioning (1982); API separator
commissioning, No.1 Coker and Thermal Cracker expansion, and
Catalytic Polymerisation Plant commissioning (1984); coke storage and
loading facilities commissioning, Tilted Plate Interceptor commissioning,
Pressure Swing Absorber commissioning and a new Sour Water Stripper
commissioning (1985); No.2 Vacuum Unit commissioning, Cryogenic
Unit commissioning and Fluid Catalytic Cracking Plant commissioning
