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Barrancabermeja, Colombia | June 24, 2025 – Colombia’s state-controlled energy company Ecopetrol has awarded a detailed engineering contract to global consultancy Wood for a comprehensive clean-fuels revamp at its flagship Barrancabermeja refinery. This ambitious initiative forms a key component of Ecopetrol’s Línea Base de Calidad de Combustibles (LBCC) program, aimed at delivering ultra-low-sulfur gasoline and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030 .
Scope: Redesign and upgrade of existing processing units to reduce gasoline sulfur and enable production of low-carbon hydrogen and SAF.
Scale: The Barrancabermeja facility processes approximately 250,000 barrels per day, accounting for nearly 40% of Colombia’s fuel output
Commitment: Board-approved in March 2025 with a projected investment of US $1.2 billion over multiple years
Sulfur Cut: Engineered to comply with Colombia’s 10 ppm sulfur ceiling by 2030, aligning with Resolution 40444 of 2023
Carbon Reduction: Expected to slash CO₂ emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually—a reduction equivalent to the carbon sequestration of ~207 million trees. Additional cuts in NOₓ, SOₓ, and CO are estimated at 90,000 tpy, delivering a 2.7% reduction in national emissions
Decarbonization Goal: This overhaul forms a strategic pillar in Ecopetrol’s roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
Expertise: Wood brings over two decades of partnerships with Ecopetrol, including five years on clean-fuels initiatives. A team of more than 250 engineers and subject-matter experts will drive the 2030 target
Timeline: First production of ultra-low-sulfur gasoline is scheduled by 2030
Clad plate, a composite metal product featuring corrosion-resistant layers (commonly stainless steel) bonded to robust carbon-steel backing, plays a vital role in refinery modifications:
Corrosion Resistance
Refinery units dealing with sulfur-rich streams or high-temperature fluids are prone to internal corrosion. Clad plate adds a protective barrier, extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance cycles.
Cost Efficiency
Compared to complete stainless steel construction, clad plate saves up to 30–50% while delivering comparable corrosion protection—ideal for large processing modules like hydrotreater reactors or reformers.
Enhanced Retrofit Safety
During LBCC’s revamp of existing units, clad plate allows for structural reinforcement without full replacement—minimizing downtime and supporting onsite safety.
Hydrogen & SAF Synergy
Clad materials ensure high-purity hydrogen lines and SAF reactors resist embrittlement and corrosive degradation, critical for reliable, long-term operation.
By integrating clad-plate linings in key pressure vessels, piping, and heat exchangers, the project not only meets performance and safety standards but also supports Ecopetrol’s broader sustainability goals.
Nanjing Fugo New Material Tech Co., Ltd. (Fugo Tech) is an ISO 9001 and PED 2014/68/EU certified manufacturer specializing in Clad Material (Explosive Clad Plates & Rolled Clad Plate, Clad Bar) and Titanium, Nickel Alloy, and Stainless Steel products (Pipe/Fitting/Flange/Fastener) which are widely used in the Heat Exchanger, Pressure Vessel, Reactor, Column, Tower, and other process equipment.
Fugo Tech offers different material combinations of Clad Plate (Explosion-welded clad plate/composite plate & Rolled-welded clad plate/composite plate) , and also offers a wide range of materials, including Titanium, Nickel Alloy, Copper, Cu-Ni, and Stainless Steel, along with custom processing services (Tube Sheet drilling, Dish Head forming) for Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Chemical, Energy, Paper & Pulp, Marine, Shipbuilding, Environment, Metallurgy, and New Energy Vehicles, with a strong focus on high-performance Clad Plate & Titanium & Nickel Alloy & Stainless Steel solutions.
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Fugo Tech is focused on the manufacturing of clad metal plate and distributes the Stainless Steel, Titanium, Nickel Alloy, Zirconium and other non-ferrous metal pipes, fittings, flanges, and fasteners.
