Chile's ENAP starts heavy crude processor

CONCON, Chile, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Chile state oil company ENAP on Monday inaugurated a new unit at its Aconcagua refinery to process some 20,000 barrels per day of heavy crude from Ecuador and Brazil to make diesel oil.

The new coker complex of Aconcagua, on Chile's Pacific coast, cost some $430 million and took two years to build. In processing heavier, cheaper crudes from Brazil and Ecuador it will also result in cost savings of some $20,000 a day for the company, ENAP Chief Executive Enrique Davila said.

Chile is energy poor, importing all but a fraction of its oil and gas needs.

ENAP produces 350,000 cubic meters per month of diesel with its refineries operating at full capacity and must import more of the fuel to meet internal demand.

The new coker complex represents the largest project to date to be undertaken by ENAP in conjuction with private capital.

ENAP funded 49 percent of the project, with the remainder financed by Spain's Foster Wheeler Iberia and Tecnicas Reunidas (TRE.MC) and Germany's MAN Ferrostaal.

The Aconcagua refinery is located in Concon, on Chile's Pacific coast. (Reporting by Monica Vargas; writing by Pav Jordan; editing by Jim Marshall)