The result, which yields encouraging figures —2,000 tons of naphtha and 10,000 tons of fuel oil— , not only improves upon the records of the two previous tests (March and May), but also introduces key technological adjustments in the handling of a high-density oil with strong acidity and a significant presence of sulfur, as explained by the specialists.

Irene Barbado Lucio, the facility's general manager, emphasized that each processing cycle provides essential lessons for designing safer and more efficient procedures. "It's not just about quantities," she clarified, "but about consolidating a methodology that meets the demands of our raw materials and, at the same time, pays homage to the vision of the Commander-in-Chief, who in 1988 spearheaded the modernization of this plant with a view to Cuba's energy future."

Meanwhile, engineer Cristóbal Acosta Blanco explained that the work teams have focused their efforts on protecting the integrity of the process lines, heat exchangers, and pumping systems, which are subjected to extreme conditions due to the crude oil's composition. " Each run requires us to rethink maintenance protocols and anticipate potential wear and tear, which involves continuous learning that we are already capitalizing on for the next phases ," he stated.

The innovative component was not overlooked. Yadira Parada Villalón, director of science and innovation, highlighted the contribution of the rationalizers movement, whose proposals have allowed, for example, a partial redesign of the new pumping station to guarantee a more stable flow and reduce operational risks. “These are solutions born from daily practice, demonstrating that collective intelligence is our main resource,” she emphasized.

The confidence in the Santiago industry was summed up by Félix Torres Pérez, a 45-year veteran at the refinery, who stated that "this plant has known how to respond in the most complex moments, and today it demonstrates once again that, with limited resources but with will and knowledge, we can take firm steps towards technological sovereignty."

The completion of this run does not represent an end point, but rather a platform for the next stages. Specialists anticipate that the data collected will allow them to scale up the process and diversify the resulting products, always with the premise of maximizing the potential of Cuban crude and reducing external dependence . Hermanos Díaz, with its history spanning more than half a century, thus reaffirms itself as a bastion of creative resilience and a commitment to a more self-sufficient energy future.