Phillips 66 on April 26 announced its Rodeo biorefinery in San Francisco is expected to be producing 50,000 barrels per day of renewable fuels by the end of second quarter. The facility began producing renewable diesel during the first quarter and is expected to begin producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) components soon.
Phillips 66 in May 2022 made a final investment decision to convert the Rodeo refinery to renewables. At that time the company explained that the scope of the project includes the construction of pre-treatment units and the repurposing of existing hydrocracking units to enable production of renewable fuels.
The converted facility, referred to as the Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex, is now processing only renewable feedstocks. During a first quarter earnings call, held April 26, Phillips 66 President and CEO Mark Lashier said the biorefinery is currently producing 30,000 barrels per day of renewable fuels. “We're on track to increase production capability to full rates of approximately 50,000 barrels per day by the end of the second quarter,” he said. “Once complete, we'll have the ability to produce renewable jet, a key component of sustainable aviation fuel.”
Richard Harbison, executive vice president of refining at Phillips 66, further explained that facility’s first hydrocracker began producing renewables in March, with the capacity to produce approximately 30,000 barrels per day of renewable fuels. Construction of the second hydrocracker and the feedstock pretreatment unit is expected to be complete in May with startup scheduled for June, he added.
During the third quarter, Harbison said the Rodeo facility is expected to begin taking lower carbon intensity (CI) feedstocks, including more recycled fats, oils and greases. The facility is expected to have the capabilities to produce SAF by the third quarter. Lashier indicated the SAF capacity will be in the range of 10,000 barrels per day.
