Gela

Location and Geography

The Gela oil and gas complex is situated on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy. The operations include both onshore and offshore components, with the offshore fields located in the Mediterranean Sea.

Components of the Complex

Oil and Gas Fields

The complex includes several oil and gas fields:

• Gela Terra Oil and Gas Field
• Gela Litorale Oil and Gas Field
• Gela Mare Oil and Gas Field These fields have been in operation since the late 1950s, with the first production starting in 1957.

Gela Refinery

The Gela Refinery, operated by Eni S.P.A., is a key part of the complex. It has a balanced primary refining capacity of 100,000 barrels per day and processes heavy crude oil from nearby Eni fields both offshore and onshore Sicily. The refinery produces a range of products including gasoline, diesel, and naphtha. It is integrated with Eni’s nearby petrochemical plants and features advanced technology, including an FCC reactor, coking plants, and vacuum conversion units for heavy residues.

Biorefinery

In addition to the traditional refinery, Eni operates a biorefinery in Gela, which is the most innovative biofuel plant in Europe. This biorefinery produces high-quality biofuel (HVO - Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) from raw materials of organic origin. It also produces Eni Biojet, a fuel that can be blended with conventional products.

Gas Production and Processing

Gas production is another significant aspect of the Gela complex. Eni is developing the offshore Argo and Cassiopea fields, with construction of a new complex to handle gas from these fields underway. This project involves an investment of over €700 million and is expected to be completed by the first half of 2024. The gas will be exported via a subsea pipeline and processed at a new treatment and compression plant at the Gela biorefinery before being fed into the national distribution network.

Environmental and Social Initiatives

Environmental Remediation

The area has undergone significant environmental remediation efforts, particularly at the former petrochemical plant site, which is considered a Site of National Priority. Eni Rewind, Eni's environmental company, is responsible for the remediation and monitoring of the aquifer, soil remediation, and the demolition of plants, warehouses, and buildings.

Renewable Energy

Eni has also invested in renewable energy projects in Gela, including a 5 MW photovoltaic plant built on a former phosphogypsum landfill site and an additional 1 MW plant. There is also a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant as part of the SOLARGRID initiative, which aims to support industrial research and experimental development projects.

Community Engagement

Eni engages in various activities to support the local community, including the renovation of local facilities, training programs for students, and collaboration with local institutions for food safety and other community development projects.

Production and Reserves

Oil Production

The Gela Oil and Gas Complex produces approximately 1.82 million barrels of oil per year as of 2016.

Gas Production

The complex produces about 800 million cubic meters of gas per year as of 2017.

Reserves

The ultimate recoverable resources of the Gela Oil and Gas Complex are estimated at 186 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) as of 2017.

Technological and Operational Aspects

Advanced Technologies

The Gela Refinery and associated facilities employ advanced technologies to ensure high environmental standards and efficiency. This includes modern residue and exhaust fume treatment plants, and the use of proprietary monitoring and prevention technologies for hydrocarbon extraction.

Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction

Eni has been focused on reducing emissions and energy consumption at the Gela Refinery. The refinery has implemented various measures to ensure efficient control of energy consumption and emissions, aligning with global commitments such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Emission Trading of CO2.

Future Developments and Challenges

Upcoming Projects

The ongoing development of the Argo and Cassiopea gas fields and the associated infrastructure is a significant future project. Additionally, the Gela Refinery is undergoing continuous upgrades and renovations to maintain its technological edge and environmental performance.

Challenges

Maintaining high technological standards, ensuring environmental and safety compliance, and integrating local activities to enhance community esteem and regional development are key challenges for the Gela oil and gas project.

In summary, the Gela oil and gas project is a multifaceted energy complex that includes oil and gas production, refining, biorefinery operations, and significant investments in renewable energy and environmental remediation. It plays a crucial role in Italy's energy landscape while also contributing to local community development and environmental sustainability.