New Asset Studies

Axens Horizon’s proven methodology for project development, backed by world-class refining and petrochemical expertise and proprietary tools, provides a comprehensive, customized offer adapted to clients’ specific requirements.

Pre-feasibility studies

At the onset of a project, investors are faced with a multitude of options that need sorting and clarifying. Axens Horizon’s pre-feasibility studies bring a global and coherent approach to the evaluation process. These studies comprise :

• analyzing petroleum product and crude markets
• reviewing product specification developments
• assessing local environmental regulation compliance
• developing different viable process configuration options suited to the available feedstock and the targeted product slate
• evaluating auxiliary units, utilities and off-site facilities
• making preliminary estimates of capital and operating expenditure
• ranking the different project options using the preliminary financial analysis

Finally, the pre-feasibility study will deliver all the necessary information for selecting the best investment option.

Feasibility studies (technical and economic)

Following the pre-feasibility study, the main process units and the related assets of the selected scheme have to be developed in more detail. A feasibility study helps to define the different elements of the project that will satisfy financial institutions’ requirements for project evaluation. These studies comprise :

• preliminary design work and defining the
  • storage and blending facilities, off-site facilities and infrastructure, including marine facilities, seawater intake and outfall, and freshwater and oil pipelines
  • utility generation and distribution
  • hydrogen production, waste water and flue gas treatment facilities, and sulfur recovery units
• preliminary identification of environmental impacts and safety risks
• cost investment estimates based on Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE International) Class 4 standards
• financial and risk analyses
• project finance

Conceptual engineering studies

The Performance Programs (P²) conceptual engineering study methodology offers a holistic approach that covers the entire project development phases and aims to bridge the gap between preliminary studies and basic engineering work. These studies comprise :

• developing technical information on the basis of the conclusions from the previous study. The technical information is sourced from process licensors.
• integrating refinery support units by developing all the utilities, off-site facilities and infrastructure
• preparing engineering general documentation as the starting points for the next phases of the project: basic engineering and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)
• pre-EIAs and pre-HAs
• cost investment estimates based on AACE Class 3 standards
• detailed financial analyses and project risk assessments
• developing the project execution plan
• determining the staffing requirements for project execution and asset operation

A conceptual engineering study provides P² clients with all the documents required to issue the bids for the licensed technologies and the EPC contractor. This saves significant time and money on project execution.