Royal Dutch Shell confirmedMarch 12that its base oil plant in Harburg, Germany, is for sale along with the surrounding refinery, contrary to an article that appeared in the first edition of this March 11 issue of Lube Report.
Shell management told employees earlier this month that it is trying to sell two refineries – one in the Hamburg borough of Harburg, the other in Heider, Germany. If the company does not find a buyer within a few months it could close the refineries or convert them for other uses, such as terminals.
A spokesman said Shell wants to sell the refineries because they are small and cannot achieve economies of scale. The base oil plant has capacity to make 170,000 metric tons of API Group I paraffinic base oils per year and 150,000 t/y of naphthentic base oils.
An article in the first edition of this March 11 issue incorrectly reported that the base oil plant is separate from the refinery and is not for sale. In fact, the base oil refinery is for sale, buta finished lubricant blending plant, located in a nearby part of Hamburg,is not for sale.