Shell refinery plans upgrades

The two towers are part of a Shell Puget Sound Refinery benzene reduction project.  This project is driven by new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations to reduce mobile source (automobile) air emissions. 

The refinery will be installing new equipment required to meet 2011 gasoline blending specifications as part of our Benzene Reduction Project.  Key elements of the project are the installation of two new distillation towers and associated equipment at the refinery.

The two new distillation towers were manufactured in South Korea and are being shipped by ocean transport to the Port of Anacortes. To move the towers to the refinery, a special “oversize transport’ permit will be secured from the City of Anacortes and the State of Washington.

The move through Anacortes will begin at Dakota Creek’s yard. Shell says they expect the move date to be either Friday, January 8, or Saturday, January 9, between the hours of 11:00pm-5:00am.  The exact date and time of the move will be set by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The largest tower is 214 feet in length and 12 ½ feet in diameter.  Special self-propelled haul modules will move the 220-ton tower.

The columns will travel from the Dakota Creek yard via Q Avenue, R Avenue, State Route 20, March’s Point Road and South Texas Road.

“No Parking” signs will be posted on the streets along the route. Traffic lights and other overhead obstructions will be temporarily removed.