GORKIY PETROLEUM REFINERY NOVO GORKIY GORKIY, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000500010031-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2008
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: November 1, 1971
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/18: CIA-RDP79T00909A000500010031-7
Top Secret
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Basic Imagery Interpretation Report
Gorkiy Petroleum Refinery Novo Gorkiy
Gorkiy, USSR
Top Secret
RCS 17 /nn1 1 /z2
25X1
DATE NP\L,E 1BER 1971
copy jj I P
PAGES 16
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
Gorkiy Petroleum Refinery-Novo Gorki.y
RCS - 13/0011/72
UTM COORDINATES GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
38VMH470180 56-06-17N 044-08-33E
MAP REFERENCE
8th RTS. USATC, Series 200, Sheet M0155-21HL, 4th ed, May 70, Scale 1:200,000
(SECRET
Gorkiy Petroleum Refinery Novo Gorkiy is one of the 20 largest refineries
in the USSR with'respect to charge capacity. Major refining components include
desalting units, crude oil distillation units, thermal cracking units, lubricating
oil production units, blending and treating units, catalytic reforming and hydro-
treating units, a gas purification and cracking unit, a sulfuric acid plant,
probable synthetic fatty acid production units, a possible hydrorefining unit,
and.several unidentified secondary processing units. A petrochemical processing
unit is also present.
The products of the refinery include straight-run, cracked, reformed, and
blended gasolines in a wide range of octane ratings, kerosene, hydrotreated diesel
and fuel oils, lubricating oils, asphalt, waxes, aromatics, and petrochemical
feedstocks and products'. Synthetic fatty acids are also probably produced at the
refinery.
The refinery has been operating on all photographic coverage, from December
1961 through August 1971. Construction has continued throughout this period.
In August 1971, three new processing units were under construction.
This report includes a photograph and a line drawing of the refinery, a
detailed listing of equipment and facilities with measurements of storage tanks,
a chart showing construction chronology, and a discussion of the status of
facilities.
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Gorkiy Petroleum Refinery Novo Gorkiy is located 13.5 nautical miles (nm)
25X1
south-southeast of Gorkiy and 3.5 nm south-southwest of the Volga River (see
Figure 1). It began operating in mid-1958. 1/
The refinery is connected by pipeline to storage and transshipment
facilities at Gorkiy Petroleum Storage Velikiy Urag located
25X1
on the south bank of the Volga. Rail service is provided by a spur from
the main line between Arzamas and Gorkiy. Crude oil to charge the refinery
is brought by pipeline from Almetyevsk in the Volga-Urals production region. 2/
Electric power and steam for the refinery are produced at the collocated Gorkiy
Heat and Thermal Power Plant Novogorkovskaya TETS
25X1
The refinery area measures approximately 7,700 by 6,700 feet and contains
about 1,200 acres (see Figures 2 and 3). The entire complex, including the
refining, storage, and support areas, occupies about 2,500 acres. The refining
area is secured by a combination of walls and fences.
Operational Functions
This refinery is one of the 20 largest in the Soviet Union with respect to
charge capacity. The major refining units presently in operation include desalt-
ing units, crude oil distillation units, thermal cracking units, lubricating oil
production units, blending and treating units, catalytic reforming and hydro-
treating units, a gas purification and cracking unit (for petrochemical feedstock),
a sulfuric acid plant, probable synthetic fatty acid production units, a possible
hydrorefining unit, and several unidentified secondary processing units. A
petrochemical processing unit is also present.
Based on the identification of processing units, the products of the
refinery include straight-run, cracked, reformed, and blended gasolines in
a wide range of octane ratings, kerosene, hydrotreated diesel and fuel oils,
lubricating oils, asphalt, waxes, aromatics, and petrochemical feedstocks and
products. In addition, synthetic fatty acids, which are used in manufacturing
soaps and detergents, are probably produced at this refinery.
Construction and Operational Status
The refinery was in operation when it was first observed on photography in
December 1961, and on all subsequent coverage through August 1971. Construction
has continued throughout; this period. Figure 4 shows the chronology of construction
since April 1963, the date of the first good-quality photography of the refinery.
In August 1971, three processing units were under construction.
Facilities and Equipment
Table 1 lists the functional areas and the equipment and facilities in the
refinery. All of the items listed are shown in Figure 3. Equipment in areas
under construction is not listed in the table or shown in Figure 3. All measure-
ments are rounded to the nearest half-meter.
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Table 1. Equipment and Facilities at Gorkiy Petroleum Refinery Novo Gorkiy
(Keyed to Figure 3)
Area Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
A Packing and Shipping
35 Miscellaneous buildings
1,Cvlindrical storaae tank,
3 Semiburied storage tanks
(not measured)
B Storage and Shipping 5 Loading racks
88 Miscellaneous buildings
51 Cylindrical storage tanks
10 33-meter-diameter
20 24-meter-diameter
3 Tank bases
20 Horizontal storage tanks
6 24-meter-long
14 individually roof covered
6 Semiburied storage tanks
(not measured)
51 Semiburied reservoirs
1 Water storage/treatment basin
Blending/Treating and Support 1 Unit with
1 pipe furnace
1 shipping building with 6
batch agitators/mixers
4 processing buildings
15 processing/storage tanks
1 support building
5 cylindrical storage tanks
4
1
1 Possible blending/treating unit with
8 processing buildings
2 shipping buildings
2 support buildings
8 cylindrical processing/storage
tanks
3 horizontal processing/storage
tanks
18 Support buildings (two with cranes)
4 Cylindrical storage tanks,
18 meters in diameter
9 Horizontal storage tanks,
individually roof covered
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Area Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
D Water Treatment.and Cooling 36 Miscellaneous buildings
29 Cooling towers
13 Cylindrical storage tanks
2
2 6-meter-diameter
3 Covered water reservoirs
14 Water storage/treatment basins
E Storage and Shipping 1 Separately secured area with
2 truck-loading racks
7 buildings
12 cylindrical storage tanks
2 25X1
10 6-meter-diameter
1 semiburied storage tank (not
measured)
10 Miscellaneous buildings (one with
2 horizontal tanks)
33 Cylindrical storage tanks
2 15-meter-diameter
12 25X1
17 q-mP+Pr-djamp+pr
2 25X1
24 Horizontal storaae tanks
4 25X1
17 15-meter-long
3 individually roof covered
1 Gasholder, 30 meters in diameter
F Petrochemical Processing 1 Loading rack
16 Miscellaneous buildings
(one with 5 horizontal tanks)
3 Cylindrical storage tanks
1 6-meter-diameter
2
3 Horizontal storage tan s
.2 15-meter-long
1 6-meter-long
1 Semiburied storage tank
(not measured)
1 Semiburied reservoir
G Storage and Support 13 Miscellaneous buildings
32 Cylindrical storage tanks
4 18-meter-diameter
2 15-meter-diameter
10 25X1
6 9-meter-diameter
4 25X1
2 6-me er- iameter
3 25X1
15 Horizontal storage tanks
8 24-meter-long
3 6-meter-long
4 individually roof covered
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Area Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
H Lubricating Oil Production
(1) Deasphalting
3 Units, each with
6 columns
1 cluster of processing equipment
1 bank of heat exchangers/cooling
coils/accumulators
1 pipe furnace
1 pump building
6 cylindrical storage tanks,
3 meters in diameter
3 horizontal storage tanks,
6 meters long
(2) Solvent Extraction 5 Units, each with
8 columns
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 pipe furnaces
1 pump building
1 support building
3 cylindrical storage tanks
(one unit has only one),
4 horizontal storage tanks,
9 meters long
1 Support building
(3) Blending, Treating, 1 Blending and treating unit with
Packing, and Shipping 1 building with 11 batch agitators/
mixers
2 pipe furnaces
2 processing buildings
2 support buildings
7 cylindrical storage tanks
2
(4) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 1 processing building
5 short columns
6 cylindrical processing/
storage t7k-c,-:,,
1 gasholder
diameter
(5) Probable Hydrotreating 1 Unit with
3 columns
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
1 pipe furnace
1 pump building
2 cylindrical storage tanks,
3 meters in diameter
2 horizontal storage tanks,
9 meters long
(6) Dewaxing
3 Units, each with
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1 solvent regeneration section
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
1 chiller building with attached
crystallizer drums (drums roof
covered in one unit) and
attached cluster of processing
equipment
1 filter building with 3 hoppers
1 control buildin
1 gasholder 25X1
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Area Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
1 Unit with
1 solvent regeneration section
1 bank of heat exchangers/cooling
coils/accumulators
1 chiller building with attached
crystallizer drums and attached
cluster of processing equipment
1 filter building with 3 hoppers
1 control building
1 pump/processing building
with 8 cylindrical and 3
horizontal processing/
storage tanks
1 gasholder, 25X1
(7) Clay Treatment 1 Unit with
4 columns
10 processing/treating tanks
2 pipe furnaces
1 processing building attached
to clay receiving building
by a conveyor
1 support building
3 Support buildings
Secondary Processing
(1) Dewaxing
1 Unit with
1 solvent regeneration section
1 bank of heat exchangers/cooling
coils/accumulators
1 chiller building with attached
crystallizer drums and attached
cluster of processing equipment
1 filter building with 3 hoppers
1 processing building with
3 horizontal processing/storage
tanks
1 horizontal processing/storage
tank
2 support buildings
1 cylindrical storage tank,
9 meters in diameter
1 gasholder, 9 meters in diameter
(2) Probable Synthetic 1 Unit with
Fatty Acid Production 1 cluster of processing
equipment
2 processing buildings
6 processing/storage tanks
1 shipping building with
2 processing/storage tanks
1 support building
3c d is t
J Possible Hydrotreating 1 Unit with
9 columns
3 probable reactors
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
3 pipe furnaces
1 processing building with
attached cluster of processing
equipment
20 cylindrical storage tanks,
9 meters in diameter
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Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
Desalting and Unidentified
Secondary Processing
(1) Desalting
3 Units, each with
1 cluster of processing
equipment
1 processing building
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
1 horizontal processing/storage
tank (one unit does not
have a tank)
1 support building
6 Horizontal storage/processing tanks
(2) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 3 columns
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
(one on the roof of a building)
1 processing building
1 pipe furnace
1 cylindrical processing/
storage tank
7 Miscellaneous buildings
5 Cvlindrical storage tanks
Crude Oil Distillation
(1) Crude Oil Distillation 2 Units, each with
1 atmospheric column
1 vacuum column
8 other columns (4 are
probably rerun columns)
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 pipe furnaces
2 pump/compressor buildings
1 treating building with 7
attached horizontal tanks
and 2 cylindrical tanks
(one unit has an additional
tank and a support building)
2 cylindrical storage tanks,
2 Support buildings
25X1
(2) Crude Oil Distillation 2 Units, each with
1 atmospheric column
1 vacuum column
7 other columns (3 are probably
rerun columns)
3 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
3 pipe furnaces
1 pipe furnace/heater
2 pump/compressor buildings
1 treating building with
7 attached horizontal tanks
and 8 cylindrical tanks
1 desalting unit with 2 spheres,
3 horizontal tanks, 1 bank
of heat exchangers, and
1 processing building
3 Support buildings
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Area Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
Storage
20 Miscellaneous buildings (one with
4 associated cylindrical tanks
and one 25X1
4
9
1 18-mortar-diamatar
3
processing/storage tanks)
177 Cylindrical storage tanks
with 4 cylindrical and 3 horizontal
30 6-meter-diameter
5 3-meter-diameter
1 Semiburied storage tank
2 Covered water reservoirs
8 Tank bases
20
14
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Possible Synthetic 1 Unit with
Fatty Acid Production 4 processing buildings (two with
associated cluster of process-
ing equipment)
18 cylindrical processing/
storage tanks
5 support buildings
0 Thermal Cracking 2 Units, each with
2 reactors
1 fractionator
1 flash tower
3 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 pipe furnaces
1 pump building
1 vapor recovery section with
1 column
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
1 compressor building
2 cylindrical storage tanks,
25X1
4 horizontal storage tanks,
6 meters long
1 Unit with
2 reactors
1 f ract i onator
1 flash tower
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 pipe furnaces
1 pump building
1 vapor recovery section with
2 columns
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
1 compressor building
(attached to pump building)
1 building with 2 cylindrical
storage tanks 25X1
diameter and horizontal
storage tanks 6 meters long
2 Support buildings
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Processing Unit Under Equipment not enumerated
Construction
Area
Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
Gas Purification and Cracking 1 Unit with
9 gas purification columns
9 other columns
3 clusters of processing equipment
2 pipe furnaces
2 processing buildings
Sulfuric Acid and Unidentified
Secondary Processing
(1) Sulfuric Acid Equipment not enumerated
(2) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 2 clusters of processing
equipment
1 processing building
2 support buildings
2 cylindrical storage tanks,
21 meters in diameter
1 Unit with
4 short processing towers
1 processing building
3 support buildings
3 cylindrical storage tanks,
15 meters in diameter
Storage and Water Cooling 2 Cooling towers
9 Miscellaneous buildings
27 Cylindrical storage tanks
4 24-meter-diameter
4
2 Semiburied storage tanks
2 Covered water reservoirs
Possible Hydrorefining 1 Unit with
5 columns
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
(one is on the roof of a
building)
3 pipe furnaces
1 pump building
1 control building
1 support building
3 cylindrical storage tanks,
15 meters in diameter
2 Support buildings
5 Cylindrical storage tanks
4 12-meter-diameter
25X1
25X1
Secondary Processing
(1) Catalytic Reforming- 1 Unit with
Hydrotreating 5 reactors
3 columns
1 cluster of processing equipment
2 banks of heat exchangers/cooling
coils/accumulators
1 large furnace
2 pump buildings
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Area Functional Description Equipment and Facilities
25X1
1 hydrotreating section with
4 columns
1 cluster of processing
equipment
1 pump/compressor building
1 control building
3 cylindrical storage tanks,
3 meters in diameter
(2) Probable Catalytic 1 Unit with
Reforming 8 columns
3 clusters of processing equipment
2 banks of heat exchangers/cooling
coils/accumulators
4 processing buildings (one with
4 horizontal tanks)
1 pipe furnace
1 pump building
1 control building
Unidentified Secondary Processing
(1) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 4 columns
2 clusters of processing
equipment
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 processing buildings
2 cylindrical storage tanks,
6 meters in diameter
4 Support buildings
3 Cylindrical storage tanks,
12 meters in diameter
(2) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 4 columns
2 clusters of processing
equipment
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
1 processing building
2 pipe furnaces
1 cylindrical processing/
storage tank
2 horizontal processing/
storage tanks
(3) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 1 reforming section (contains
7 reactors, 1 furnace, 1
processing building and
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators)
14 columns
3 clusters of processing
equipment
3 pump/compressor buildings
2 cylindrical processing/
storage tanks
1 horizontal processing/
storage tank
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functional Description Equipment and Facilities
(4) Unidentified Secondary 1 Unit with
Processing 3 columns
2 clusters of processing
equipment
3 processing buildings
1 pump/compressor building
1 support building
2 cylindrical processing/
storage tanks
1 gasholder, 15 meters in
diameter
1 semiburied reservoir
W Storage 1 Pump building
18 Cylindrical storage tanks
12 15-meter-diameter
6
18 Horizontal storage tanks
1 21-meter-long
2 15-meter-long
15 individually roof covered
Secondary Processing
(1) Probable Catalytic
1 Unit with
Reforming-Hydrotreating
4
4
2
1
1
reactors
banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
pipe furnaces
pump building
hydrotreating section with
6 columns
1 cluster of processing
equipment
1 bank of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 processing buildings
(one with 1 cylindrical
and 6 horizontal tanks)
2 pipe furnaces
1 control building
(2) Probable Catalytic
1 Unit with
Reforming-Hydrotreating
4
2
reactors
banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2
1
1
pipe furnaces
pump building
hydrotreating section with
10 columns
2 banks of heat exchangers/
cooling coils/accumulators
2 pump/compressor buildings
4 cylindrical processing/
storage tanks
8 horizontal processing/
(3) Unidentified Secondary
storage tanks
1 Unit with
Processing
8
columns
1
cluster of
processing
5
equipment
processing
buildings
4
horizontal
processing/
storage tanks
6 support buildinas
1 gasholder
diameter
Y Processing Unit Under Equipment not enumerated
Construction
Processing Unit Under Equipment not enumerated
Construction
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Map
8th RTS. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0155-21HL, 4th edition,
May 1970, Scale 1:200,00 0 (SECRET
1. 7053rd AISS. AIIR 6328-57 New Gor'kiy Oil Refinery, 14 August 1957,
(CRS Plant Folder No. 6205931) (UNCLASSIFIED)
2. 7000th ASW. AIIR 6801-58 First Unit of the Novo-Gor'kovskiy Refinery in
Kstovo Started Production, 22 September 1965, (CRS Plant
Folder No. 6205931) (UNCLASSIFIED)
Requirement
COMIREX N06
Support Number 422974
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