The history of Bulgarian gasoline starts in 1963. The following decades the oil refining in Bulgaria increased its capacities, absorbed the most advanced developments and process solutions. The pinnacle of this development is the LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas refinery, producing tens of fuel grades, petrochemical and polymer products.
1999 — Neftohim Burgas joined the LUKOIL Group.
2003 — Retrofitting of the Catalytic Cracking Unit designed by the American company UOP.
2004 — Retrofitting of the Catalytic Reforming Unit accomplished following the design of the American company UOP.
The retrofitting done in 2003—2004 allowed the enterprise switch to production of unleaded gasolines and fuels complying with the strict standards and requirements of the European Union.
2009 — Sulphuric Acid Alkylation Unit is built under the design of Stratco-DuPont, as well as the new unit for spent Sulphuric acid recovery employing a Haldor Topsoe process. This lead to:
Increase of high octane alkylate production from 210 to 290 th. tons per year;
Increase the octane number from 95 to 97;
Reduction of sulphur oxides emissions (16 times less SO2 and 30 times less SO3) and liquidation of the by-product — "wash acid".
Retrofit of Hydrodesulphurisation Unit-3 designed by Haldor Topsoe, leading to reduced sulphur content and improved quality of diesel fuels as to comply with the requirements of Euro-5 standard. Moreover, the refinery's energy consumption was reduced by 30%.
2011 — Concession Agreement was signed for Rosenets Port terminal for 35 years.
2012 — The construction of Heavy Residue Processing Complex (HRPC) started. The Complex is the largest catalytic hydrocracking unit in Eastern Europe. It contributes to the increased yield of light fuels and their improved quality.
2015 — Start-up of the new Heavy Residue Processing Complex. It is designed to produce high quality oil products (fuel gas, gasoline, diesel fuel and vacuum gas oil), complying with the latest requirements of the European Union.