Lukoil thinking of producing sustainable aviation fuel at Bulgarian refinery

MOSCOW. July 24 (Interfax) - Lukoil is thinking of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its oil refinery in Bulgaria in the coming years, for which laboratory tests have already been carried out and a process design has been prepared.

Lukoil said in a sustainable development report that it planned to certify the product to International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standards.

The company said that in 2023 it began preparations for the scheduled entry into force of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules on regulating GHG emissions in accordance with the CORSIA mechanism. Both short-term solutions (certification of the methodology for carbon footprint assessment over the entire lifecycle of jet fuel produced by Lukoil Group, LCAF) and longer-term solutions (production of bio-jet fuel, SAF) are under consideration.

Lukoil increased aviation fuel sales 7% to 3 million tonnes in 2023, according to the report.

In marine transportation, guided by the rules of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lukoil continues to produce and sell low-sulfur fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 0.5%. Starting in 2024, the carbon emissions trading system will apply to sea shipments through EU ports, and from 2025 the emissions restrictions will be expanded. "At the same time, the decarbonization of shipping remains a difficult task despite certain achievements by industry companies," Lukoil said.