A STRONG PARTNERSHIP FOR HYDROPROCESSING
Chevron Lummus Global’s innovative hydroprocessing technologies are creating an impact in the energy industry. CEO, Rajesh Samarth, provides illuminating insights into how the company became an expert in a competitive field
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Lauren Robinson
For 25 years, Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) has been the leader in successful innovation in hydroprocessing technologies that has transformed the energy industry. Established on January 1st in the year 2000, as a joint venture between two industry leaders — Chevron and Lummus Technology — CLG formalized an already successful alliance, combining Chevron’s leadership in hydroprocessing technology which includes R&D and refinery operations starting in 1960 with Lummus’ expertise in developing
and commercializing cutting-edge technologies.
As the company marks its silver anniversary, CEO Rajesh Samarth reflects on a legacy of innovation, partnership, and resilience that has positioned CLG as a global leader in providing advanced engineering, licensing proprietary technologies, and delivering catalysts and equipment to the oil and gas industry. Looking ahead, CLG remains committed to meeting the challenges of a dynamic energy landscape with sustainable, value-driven solutions.
Rajesh Samarth, CEO
PIONEERING INNOVATION FROM SOLID FOUNDATIONS
Building on the strengths of both parent companies – Lummus Technology with its strong track record of developing and commercializing new, transformative technologies and Chevron as a worldclass refiner and operator bringing world-class R&D capabilities – CLG has brought practical, reliable, and performance-driven solutions to the market.
“What truly distinguishes CLG is the depth and breadth of the expertise we have built over the last 25 years. We offer a unique combination of technology and catalyst solutions, supported by the strength of Chevron and Lummus Technology,” observes Samarth.
The energy sector has evolved significantly in the company first
25 years of CLG, presenting both challenges and opportunities that the company has approached with innovative solutions and solid partnerships that have enabled customers to thrive and grow in a continually dynamic market.
This evolution continues today across the globe as operators grapple with climate change and everchanging laws and regulations.
“Our commitment to innovation keeps us at the forefront of industry trends, whether in traditional refining, petrochemicals, or renewable and sustainable technologies.
“By understanding both the technical and commercial challenges our clients face, we can deliver solutions that not only enhance performance but also create value in a dynamic energy landscape. Further, our deep understanding of the energy
markets and customer needs also differentiates us as a trusted partner,” says Samarth.
WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGIES
CLG operates in multiple global markets within the refining and petrochemical sectors, catering to integrated oil businesses, independent refiners, and prominent petrochemical producers. The company also partners with stakeholders in emerging areas such as renewable energy, synthetic carbon, and crude-to-chemicals (TC2C).
Addressing the needs for broad yet customized solutions, CLG’s comprehensive portfolio includes hydrocracking (ISOCRACKING) and hydrotreating (ISOTREATING) technologies for converting or upgrading crude oil, ISODEWAXING and ISOFINISHING for the
“WE ARE EXCITED TO HELP OUR CUSTOMERS PRODUCE LOWER-CARBON INTENSITY FUELS THROUGH THE CREATIVE APPLICATIONS OF OUR FULLY COMMERCIALIZED TECHNOLOGIES”
– RAJESH SAMARTH, CEO, CHEVRON LUMMUS GLOBAL
production of premium lubricant base oils, and RDS/VRDS for residue oil hydrotreating.
Additionally, the company offers coking and solvent deasphalting (SDA) as carbon rejection processes for upgrading vacuum residue, LC-FINING, LC-MAX, and LC-SLURRY for residue hydrocracking, and innovative lower-carbon technologies like BIOFUELS ISOCONVERSION (BIC) and ISOTERRA for producing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
CLG also engages in circular feedstock processing and offers various pathways for crude-to-chemicals production, enabling significant capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) savings through advanced hydroprocessing solutions.
“This full spectrum of technologies primarily utilizes catalysis to convert low-value molecules into higher-value preferred molecules. This process enables the production of clean fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, and premium base oils from conventional
feedstocks, as well as upgrading vegetable oils or animal fats to lowercarbon renewable fuels.
“Our technological solutions and catalysts deliver superior product yields, increased energy efficiency, and reduced environmental footprints. For instance, hydrocracking technologies enable refiners to maximize the production of cleaner fuels that meet rigorous environmental regulations,” he insights.
TRAILBLAZING ADVANCES
One distinguishing achievement over its first 25 years is CLG’s expertise in producing high-quality lubricant base oils. Its advanced lubricant technologies enable clients to
“CLG’S INVENTION OF ISODEWAXING TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE PREMIUM BASE OILS TRULY TRANSFORMED
THE GLOBAL
STANDARDS USED FOR MEASURING AND QUALIFYING BASE OILS FOR THE ENTIRE LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY”
– RAJESH SAMARTH, CEO, CHEVRON LUMMUS GLOBAL
manufacture cleaner, more efficient products that comply with ever more stringent global standards.
“CLG’s invention of ISODEWAXING technology to produce premium base oils truly transformed the global standards used for measuring and qualifying
base oils for the entire lubricants industry,” boasts Samarth.
Further, in the absence of hydrogen, CLG’s state-of-the-art coking technology can also be used to upgrade vacuum residue feedstocks into lighter products through a carbon rejection route.
Additionally, SDA technology utilizes a liquid extraction method to produce feedstock for downstream hydroprocessing units.
“Our needle coking is among the best technologies for converting a wide variety of feedstocks and producing synthetic graphite for lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. It also produces high-quality needle coke, which is essential for manufacturing high and ultra-high-power electrodes used in the production of steel in electric arc furnaces from scrap metal,” he describes.
In Asia, there is strong petrochemical growth and moderate refining product growth, and CLG is well-positioned to participate through its crude-to-chemicals technology and integrated hydroprocessing technologies.
Together with its parent company, Lummus Technology, CLG offers unparalleled synergy in crude-to-chemicals integration, combining the broadest technology portfolio in the industry with deep expertise across refining and petrochemicals.
“The continuous harmony of integration and optimization of CLG’s trailblazing technologies allows us to provide clients with even more innovative, end-to-end solutions that maximize value,
minimize CapEx and energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions, enabling a successful transition to the future,” says Samarth.
POISED FOR THE FUTURE
The worldwide energy outlook appears increasingly positive, driven by significant population growth and enhanced living standards primarily occurring in Asia, where improvements to quality of life and access to energy resources are leading to a more dynamic and robust demand for energy on a global scale.
In the US, the energy industry remains an exciting and evolving space, requiring nimble and creative yet reliable solutions.
Though there have been some policy and market uncertainties in the lower-carbon renewable fuels sector, there is consensus among energy producers and users of
the continued growing demand for lower-carbon fuels.
In the renewable fuels sector, CLG successfully implemented the first ISOTERRA unit at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, showcasing performance that significantly surpassed that of the leading competitor.
Additionally, CLG’s ISOTERRA technology delivers substantially higher SAF yields compared to any other solution available in the market.
“We see ISOTERRA as a leading technology for CLG and our customers for renewables feed processing. Our licensees benefit when the highest-priced product is maximized over lower-priced products with minimum energy input, and ISOTERRA leads the pack in creating the highest value for our customers at a lower carbon intensity,” he remarks.
Moreover, CLG plans to start processing nextgeneration, lower-carbon, or circular feedstocks such
as lignocellulose, crude bio feed, sewage extracts, and common plastics in its LC reactor platform technologies, such as LC-FINING or LC-SLURRY.
“Additionally, CLG offers hydroprocessing solutions combined with Lummus Technology’s alcohol dehydration technology for converting alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel. Our hydroprocessing capabilities also extend to fuel production, and we utilize the LC platform for advanced biofeed and circular feed solutions.
“We are excited to help our customers produce lowercarbon intensity fuels through the creative applications of our fully commercialized technologies,” Samarth imparts.
With the energy transition in full swing, the US refining sector is lacking growth in new capacity addition but is seeing capacity increases in some existing facilities, all with a drive toward lower carbon. There is also a
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significant focus on automation, digitalization, and investment in energy efficiency to reduce emissions.
“In the next quarter century, CLG will continue to rely on our steadfast commitment to innovation, the strengths of Chevron and Lummus Technology, and the ongoing collaborations with our customers and partners to again enable us to transform the technologies that bring reliable and affordable energy to the world,” promises Samarth.
www.chevronlummus.com