Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is set to commence planned maintenance activities at its refinery located in Robinson, Illinois. The refinery, with a capacity of 255,000 barrels per day, will undergo maintenance starting on March 18, according to reports from research firm IIR and an inside source familiar with the plant’s operations.

The maintenance will involve the temporary shutdown of the primary crude unit, responsible for processing both sweet and sour crude, for essential maintenance tasks such as heat exchanger repairs. Additionally, the refinery’s diesel hydrotreater unit, vacuum distillation unit, and hydrocracker unit, with capacities of 85,000, 65,000, and 28,000 barrels per day respectively, will also undergo maintenance turnaround during this period.

The crude unit is expected to be offline for approximately seven to ten days, after which it will resume operations at a reduced capacity of around 75% until all scheduled maintenance is completed, as per information from IIR. Furthermore, the reformer unit with a capacity of 38,500 barrels per day will also undergo maintenance turnaround, as disclosed by another source to Reuters.

The maintenance activities are projected to span about two months, with the refinery’s operations expected to return to normal thereafter. The Robinson refinery specializes in processing both sweet and sour crude oils to produce a range of products including gasoline, distillates, natural gas liquids, petrochemicals, propane, and heavy fuel oil, as indicated on its official website.

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson from Marathon Petroleum declined to provide further details on the specifics of the refinery’s operations during the maintenance period.

This maintenance initiative at the Marathon refinery in Robinson, Illinois underscores the company’s commitment to ensuring the efficiency and reliability of its operations. The temporary shutdown of key units for maintenance purposes is a standard practice in the oil refining industry to uphold safety standards, optimize production capabilities, and extend the operational lifespan of equipment.

The Robinson refinery’s strategic location and operational significance within Marathon’s portfolio highlight the importance of this maintenance endeavor in sustaining the refinery’s long-term productivity and competitiveness in the market. Such proactive maintenance measures play a crucial role in safeguarding operational integrity and meeting stringent industry regulations, ultimately contributing to the overall operational resilience of the refinery.

As Marathon Petroleum embarks on this comprehensive maintenance program, industry analysts will be closely monitoring the progress and impact of these activities on the company’s operations and the broader oil refining sector. The successful execution of this maintenance plan is essential for ensuring continued operational excellence and reinforcing Marathon’s position as a key player in the oil and gas industry.