Aster has announced a significant investment of $155m to enhance its Bukom refining facility, aiming to bolster energy supply resilience and support Singapore’s role as a key refining and petrochemical hub. The rejuvenation drive includes a $75m revitalisation of the Condensate Splitter Unit (CSU) and a $71m upgrade of the Lube Oil Complex (LOC), set to increase crude processing capacity to over 300,000 barrels per day by 2026.
The investment will enable the production of higher-value base oils, crucial for industrial, marine, and automotive sectors. Additionally, Aster plans to improve logistics integration with Chandra Asri’s Cilegon facility, facilitating the export of mixed C4 products and the import of pyrolysis gasoline. This strategic move aims to deepen value chain integration and enhance product value.
Mashhad Dohadwala, Aster’s Director for Projects and Technology, stated, “We are targeting for these projects to be operational in 2026. The rejuvenation will allow us to make higher value products and be more integrated through our oil-chemicals value chain.”
Aster, a joint venture led by Chandra Asri and Glencore, continues to evaluate new technologies aligned with energy transition goals, focusing on optimising existing assets to ensure capacity resilience and support the growth of Singapore’s energy and chemicals sector.