據油氣新聞網9月18日報道，據三位知情人士透露，達美航空公司（Delta Air Lines）計劃在其位于賓夕法尼亞州的Trainer煉油廠開始接收可再生燃料原料，這是一項可以減少數億美元環境義務戰略的一部分。

此舉表明，達美航空子公司門羅能源（Monroe Energy）的戰略發生了轉變。

美國可再生燃料標準（US Renewable Fuel Standard）要求煉油廠每年向國家燃料池中加入越來越多的生物燃料，否則就需向煉油廠購買合規信用額度。

達美航空10年前為了節省航空燃油成本而收購了賓夕法尼亞煉油廠，這是航空公司首次收購煉油廠。

該煉油廠預計將開始進口大豆油等農產品，大豆油可用于生產滿足聯邦混合要求的生物質柴油。

達美航空拒絕置評，但參考其最近的氣候游說報告，該報告稱門羅公司在進行了額外的經濟和運營分析后，正在評估生產可持續航空燃料和其他可再生燃料。

沒有這種能力的煉油企業過去在信用額度上積累了大量頭寸，并試圖向政府施壓，要求降低它們的債務，以避免支付它們聲稱會威脅到業務生存能力的款項。

門羅能源過去每年不得不支付數億美元購買合規信用，稱其混合能力有限。

該公司目前正在整修日產18.5萬桶的Trainer煉油廠的兩個大型儲油罐。據兩名知情人士透露，一個儲油罐已經完工，第二個定于下個月完工。其中一位消息人士稱，這些油罐將用于混合生物燃料。

據市場消息人士稱，大多數商業煉油廠每天購買RIN信用額，以避免積累大量負債和價格波動的風險，但Monroe能源近年來放緩或停止了購買，因為EPA因疫情推遲了合規期限。

據路透社報道，門羅能源去年推遲了購買RIN的計劃，因為它認為RIN的價格將會下跌，或者公司將獲得豁免，不必支付他們的債務。然而，根據Refinitiv的數據，這些價格基本保持不變。該公司必須在明年之前購買這些信用額度。

根據其最近的季度收益，該煉油部門在2022年6月的信貸缺口為5.56億美元。

隨著地緣政治沖突后全球煉油利潤率飆升，達美航空的煉油收入今年大幅飆升。

今年上半年，達美的煉油部門盈利3.23億美元，而2021年上半年虧損2.83億美元。這家煉油廠自被該航空公司收購以來一直難以盈利，該航空公司曾數次試圖出售該公司。

郝芬 譯自 油氣新聞網

原文如下：

Delta Air Lines to start refining biofuels in Pennsylvania

Delta Air Lines plans to start receiving shipments of renewable fuel feedstocks at its Trainer refinery in Pennsylvania as part of a strategy that could reduce its environmental liabilities by hundreds of millions of dollars, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The move suggests a shift in strategy for Delta subsidiary Monroe Energy, which in the past has been among the smaller refiners that have tried to pressure the US Environmental Protection Agency and the White House to reform biofuel laws.

The US Renewable Fuel Standard requires refiners to blend an increasing volume of biofuels into the nation’s fuel pool each year or buy compliance credits from those who do.

Delta bought the Pennsylvania oil refinery 10 years ago in order to save money on jet fuel costs, the first-ever purchase of a refinery by an airline.

The refinery is expected to start importing agricultural products such as soybean oil, which can be used to make a biomass-based diesel that satisfies federal blending requirements.

Delta declined to comment, but referenced its most recent climate lobbying report, which states that Monroe is evaluating producing sustainable aviation fuel and other renewable fuels after conducting additional economic and operational analysis.

Refiners without that capability have in the past accumulated big positions in these credits, and have tried to pressure the federal government to reduce their liability to avoid making payments they claim threaten the viability of their businesses.

Monroe Energy in the past has had to pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year buying compliance credits, saying it had limited blending ability.

The company is now refurbishing two large tanks within the complex of the 185,000 barrel-per-day Trainer refinery. One tank is completed, and the second is slated for completion next month, according to two sources familiar with the matter. One source said the tanks would be used to blend biofuels.

Most merchant refiners buy RINs credits daily to avoid amassing a large liability and exposure to fluctuating prices, but Monroe Energy has slowed or halted purchases in recent years, according to market sources, as the EPA delayed compliance deadlines due to Covid-19.

Monroe delayed purchasing RINs last year because it thought RINs prices would fall or that the company would receive a waiver from paying their obligation, Reuters reported. However, those prices have stayed largely the same, according to Refinitiv data. The company has until next year to buy those credits.

The refining arm had a credit shortfall of $556 million in June 2022, according to its most recent quarterly earnings.

Delta's refining income has soared this year as global refining margins surged following the war.

In the first six months of 2022 Delta's refining arm earned $323 million, compared with a loss of $283 million in the first six months of 2021. The refinery had struggled to make money since its was purchased by the airline, which has attempted several times to sell it.