PFEC has partnered with Kent and proposes to build a near-net-zero carbon bitumen refinery in northwest British Columbia. The purpose of this project is to establish key world-leading infrastructure necessary for opening world markets to Canadian bitumen by working closely with local First Nations. PFEC intends to build a state-of-the-art bitumen refinery, powered by clean energy and maximum conversion of bitumen into high quality refined products that meet the EURO-V specification. This Refinery will lead the world in minimizing carbon emissions from the refining process through the conversion processes employed, the capture of all CO2 produced and the conversion of pitch into product through a gasification/syngas conversion system.

Kent has completed the Conceptual Design (FEL-2) phase of the project and is continuing to support the environmental application and all permitting related activities.

Kent has selected advanced proven refining processes from established licensors with the specific intent of reducing process technology risk while at the same time considering new technologies to improve the energy efficiency of the refinery to minimise the refinery's environmental impact. To minimise process risk, Kent has consulted with well-established technology providers to the petroleum refining industry, incorporating their input on the design of the overall refining process, as well as the design of specific components.

PFEC will lead the industry in achieving Near- Zero Net Carbon (NZNC) emissions from an oil sands bitumen refinery with the following approaches:

Maximize energy efficiency through design
Efficient refinery operation
Utilization of state-of-the-art technology for high conversion (>90%) of heavy residue to liquid fuel to eliminate coke as a by- product of the Refinery
Use of biomass to generate clean energy while providing a wood waste disposal solution for local forest harvesters and milling operations
Use of other sources of clean energy such as hydro and natural gas to power the Refinery
Capture ready carbon from various processes including hydrogen production
Capture CO2 from flue gas sources.

Key process units for the Near-Net-Zero Carbon Refinery include: