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What Should an Oil Processing Plant Quotation Include?

Zhengzhou QIE Grain and Oil Machinery Co., Ltd
2026-08-21
Knowledge Center

An oil processing plant quotation should clearly define the raw material, processing capacity, process scope, equipment configuration, technical specifications, utilities, automation, engineering, installation, commissioning, spare parts, delivery terms, warranty, payment conditions, and all included or excluded items. A complete quotation allows buyers to compare suppliers on an equivalent technical and commercial basis rather than choosing only by the lowest price.

What Is an Oil Processing Plant Quotation?

An oil processing plant quotation is a technical and commercial document that defines the equipment, processing capacity, engineering scope, services, utilities, delivery conditions, and commercial terms proposed for an oil processing project.

For an oil mill plant or complete oil processing line, the buyer should be able to answer three questions before comparing prices:

  • What equipment is included?
  • What capacity and process scope does it provide?
  • What costs and responsibilities remain outside the quotation?

A quotation that clearly answers these questions provides a stronger basis for technical evaluation, project budgeting, and supplier selection.

What Should Be Included in an Oil Processing Plant Quotation?

A complete quotation should normally connect the production requirement with the proposed equipment and services. The main items include:

  • Raw material and processing capacity
  • Processing technology and process scope
  • Complete equipment list
  • Equipment models and technical specifications
  • Automation and electrical systems
  • Utility requirements
  • Engineering and technical documents
  • Installation and commissioning
  • Spare parts
  • Packaging and delivery
  • Payment and warranty terms
  • Included, excluded, and optional items

The exact scope depends on whether the supplier is quoting individual equipment, a processing section, a complete production line, or a turnkey plant.

This distinction is important because two suppliers can quote the same nominal capacity while offering substantially different equipment, engineering, and services.

Oil processing plant equipment and complete production line

Main Cost Components in an Oil Processing Plant Quotation

The total quotation price should be separated into identifiable cost components wherever possible. A typical quotation may include the following:

Cost Component What It Covers
Process Equipment Main machines used for oilseed or oil processing
Auxiliary Equipment Pumps, tanks, conveyors, heat exchangers, and related equipment
Automation PLC, HMI, sensors, control cabinets, and instrumentation
Engineering Process design, plant layout, drawings, and technical documents
Installation Mechanical and electrical installation, depending on scope
Commissioning Testing, startup, production commissioning, and training
Utilities Steam, electricity, cooling, water, fuel, and related systems
Spare Parts Initial commissioning parts and recommended operating spares
Packaging and Delivery Equipment packing, transportation, and shipping arrangements
Optional Equipment Additional processing or storage systems required by the project

Not every quotation includes all of these components. The buyer should therefore request a clear commercial scope instead of assuming that a quoted “complete plant” includes every project cost.

1. Plant Capacity and Raw Material

The first requirement in an oil processing plant quotation is a clearly defined processing basis.

Capacity should normally be expressed in TPD or TPH and linked to the specific raw material. For example, a quotation may be based on:

  • 50 TPD soybean processing
  • 100 TPD sunflower seed processing
  • 150 TPD oilseed extraction
  • 150 TPD cottonseed cake extraction

The quotation should also state whether the capacity refers to raw material input, processing throughput, or final oil output.

This distinction matters because 100 TPD of raw material is not equivalent to 100 TPD of refined oil production. Without a defined capacity basis, buyers may compare two quotations that are technically different while assuming they are equivalent.

What Should Buyers Check?

A quotation should clearly identify:

  • Raw material type
  • Rated processing capacity
  • Capacity unit
  • Production basis
  • Operating conditions where relevant
  • Whether the stated capacity applies to the complete line or only one processing section

Raw material characteristics can also affect equipment configuration. A plant designed for one oilseed may require different pretreatment equipment from a multi-oilseed processing line.

2. Equipment List and Technical Specifications

A quotation should provide an itemized equipment schedule rather than simply stating “complete oil processing line.”

The buyer should be able to identify the main equipment in each processing section and understand its function.

Depending on the project, an oil processing equipment quotation may include:

Pretreatment

  • Cleaning equipment
  • Magnetic separator
  • Destoner
  • Crusher
  • Dehuller
  • Flaking mill
  • Cooker or conditioner
  • Pressing equipment
  • Screw press, where applicable

Extraction

  • Extractor
  • Miscella or mixed-oil handling equipment
  • Solvent evaporation system
  • Solvent recovery system
  • Wet meal desolventizing equipment

Refining

  • Degumming system
  • Neutralization or deacidification system
  • Bleaching system
  • Deodorization system
  • Dewaxing system where required

Auxiliary Equipment

  • Pumps
  • Heat exchangers
  • Tanks
  • Conveyors
  • Steam-related equipment
  • Electrical control equipment
  • Instrumentation

The quotation should connect each major machine with its model, capacity, quantity, power, material, and relevant operating parameters.

A useful structure is:

Equipment → Model → Capacity → Quantity → Main Specifications → Price

This makes it possible to determine whether two quoted machines are genuinely comparable instead of comparing equipment names alone.

3. Processing Technology and Scope of Supply

Equipment cannot be evaluated separately from the process design.

The quotation should identify which processing stages are included. Depending on the raw material and project objective, the scope may include:

Raw Material Preparation → Pretreatment → Pressing/Extraction → Crude Oil Treatment → Refining

However, a quotation may cover only selected sections.

For example, one supplier may quote a pressing line, while another may provide pretreatment, solvent extraction, solvent recovery, and additional downstream systems. Their total prices should not be compared directly until the scope has been standardized.

The quotation should therefore define:

  • Included processing sections
  • Process flow
  • Main process equipment
  • Optional sections
  • Interfaces between processing units
  • Excluded process stages

This is a key oil processing plant quotation requirement because the processing scope directly affects equipment configuration and the actual project cost.

Equipment Supply vs Complete Production Line vs Turnkey Plant

The term “complete plant” can mean different things to different suppliers. Buyers should confirm the actual scope.

Supply Type Equipment Engineering Installation Commissioning
Individual Equipment Included Limited Usually excluded Usually excluded
Production Line Included Usually included Depends on quotation Depends on quotation
Complete Plant Included Included Depends on quotation Usually included
Turnkey Project Included Included Included Included

The commercial quotation should state which category applies to the proposed project.

Oil Processing Equipment Configuration and Technical Systems

4. Automation, Utilities and Engineering Scope

A quotation for a complete plant should also define the systems required to operate the processing equipment.

Automation and Electrical Systems

The quotation should state whether it includes:

  • PLC control system
  • HMI or SCADA, where applicable
  • Sensors and instrumentation
  • Electrical control cabinets
  • Motor control components
  • Control valves
  • Cables and electrical connections
  • Communication between process units

The buyer should distinguish between supplying control equipment and providing complete electrical installation and commissioning.

Utilities

Depending on the technology, the quotation should identify requirements for:

  • Electricity
  • Steam
  • Water
  • Compressed air
  • Fuel
  • Cooling
  • Heating

It should be clear which utility equipment is supplied by the vendor and which infrastructure must be provided by the buyer.

For example, a quotation may include the processing machinery but exclude the boiler, transformer, cooling system, or water treatment equipment. These exclusions can materially change the actual project requirement.

Engineering

Engineering scope may include:

  • Process flow diagrams
  • Plant layout
  • General arrangement drawings
  • Equipment specifications
  • Foundation or installation drawings
  • Piping information
  • Electrical drawings
  • Control documentation
  • Operation and maintenance manuals

For a complete plant, these documents help define how individual equipment items connect into one operating system.

5. What Technical Documents Should Be Requested With a Quotation?

For a major oil processing project, the quotation should ideally be supported by technical documents that allow the buyer to evaluate the proposed configuration.

Depending on project scope, these may include:

  • Process Flow Diagram (PFD)
  • Equipment list
  • Equipment datasheets
  • General Arrangement (GA) drawings
  • Plant layout
  • Utility consumption list
  • Electrical load information
  • Piping information
  • Foundation drawings
  • Automation description
  • Spare parts list
  • Installation documentation
  • Operation and maintenance manuals

The exact document package depends on the project stage. A preliminary budgetary quotation may contain less engineering information than a final commercial quotation.

6. Installation, Commissioning and Spare Parts

The quotation should clearly define the supplier’s responsibility after the equipment is delivered. Terms such as “installation support” or “commissioning included” are not specific enough unless the actual service scope is stated.

The buyer should check whether the quotation includes:

  • Equipment installation
  • Installation supervision
  • Electrical installation
  • Piping installation
  • No-load testing
  • Load testing
  • Production commissioning
  • Operator training
  • On-site technical support
  • Remote technical support

For example, installation supervision is different from complete installation. Likewise, production commissioning involves more than simply checking whether individual machines can start.

Spare parts should also be identified separately. A quotation may include:

  • Initial spare parts for commissioning
  • Recommended operating spare parts
  • Wear parts for regular replacement

The quantity and price of important spare parts should be stated where possible. This is particularly relevant for continuously operating equipment such as presses, pumps, conveyors, filters, valves, and extraction-related machinery.

7. Budgetary Quotation vs Final Commercial Quotation

Not every quotation is prepared for the same stage of a project.

Budgetary or Preliminary Quotation

A budgetary quotation is normally used during the early planning stage. It can help the buyer estimate:

  • Preliminary investment
  • Project feasibility
  • Equipment requirements
  • Potential financing needs
  • General project scope

At this stage, some technical details, installation costs, utility systems, or final equipment selections may still require confirmation.

Final Commercial Quotation

A final quotation should normally be based on a more clearly defined technical scope. It should provide enough information for the buyer to evaluate the equipment, services, commercial terms, and responsibilities before purchase.

The buyer should therefore confirm whether a supplier's document is a budgetary quotation, preliminary offer, or final commercial quotation before using it to compare project prices.

8. Included, Excluded and Optional Items

One of the most important parts of an oil processing plant quotation is the definition of the supply boundary.

A buyer should not assume that a quotation for a “complete plant” includes every item required for production. The quotation should clearly separate included items, excluded items, and optional equipment.

Included Items

Depending on the project, these may include:

  • Main processing equipment
  • Auxiliary equipment
  • Automation system
  • Engineering documents
  • Installation or supervision
  • Commissioning
  • Operator training
  • Initial spare parts

Excluded Items

Potential exclusions may include:

  • Civil construction
  • Buildings
  • External utility infrastructure
  • Transformer or external power supply
  • Water supply infrastructure
  • Fuel systems
  • Local installation labor
  • Certain transportation or local charges

The exact boundary varies by project, so buyers should evaluate the actual quotation rather than assume a standard scope.

Optional Equipment

Some equipment depends on raw material characteristics or the required product specification. Examples include:

  • Dehulling equipment
  • Additional filtration
  • Dewaxing
  • Solvent extraction
  • Additional storage tanks
  • Automated material handling
  • Additional refining stages
  • Additional spare-parts packages

Optional equipment should be clearly identified as either included in the base quotation, available at additional cost, recommended for specific raw materials, or required only under particular process conditions.

This prevents optional equipment from being confused with equipment that is essential to achieve the quoted capacity.

9. How to Compare an Oil Mill Plant Quotation

When comparing an oil mill plant quotation, buyers should first make the technical scope equivalent and only then compare prices.

A practical comparison sequence is:

Technical Scope → Capacity → Equipment Specifications → Services → Exclusions → Commercial Terms

Capacity

Confirm that the quoted capacity is based on the same raw material and production basis.

Process Scope

Check whether both quotations cover the same processing stages. A pressing-only line should not be compared directly with a quotation covering pretreatment, extraction, and downstream processing.

Equipment

Compare the main equipment according to:

  • Capacity
  • Quantity
  • Motor power
  • Construction material
  • Operating parameters
  • Configuration
  • Automation level

Services

Check whether engineering, installation, commissioning, training, and technical support are included.

Exclusions

List every major item that the buyer must purchase or arrange separately.

Commercial Terms

Finally compare:

  • Price basis
  • Payment terms
  • Price validity
  • Delivery schedule
  • Warranty
  • Shipment terms
  • Incoterms such as EXW, FOB, CFR, or CIF where applicable

The correct question is therefore not:

“Which quotation has the lower price?”

It is:

“Which quotation provides the required production scope with equivalent technical and service conditions?”

Solvent extraction machine for oilseed processing plant

10. Why Can Two Oil Processing Plant Quotations With the Same Capacity Have Different Prices?

Two suppliers can quote the same nominal capacity while offering substantially different prices because capacity alone does not define the complete plant.

The main reasons include:

  1. Different raw materials — soybean, sunflower seed, cottonseed, rapeseed, and other feedstocks can require different pretreatment configurations.
  2. Different processing technology — mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, or combined processes require different equipment.
  3. Different equipment configurations — the number, size, and specification of machines can vary.
  4. Different automation levels — manual, semi-automatic, and automated systems have different equipment requirements.
  5. Different construction materials — material selection can affect equipment cost.
  6. Different engineering scope — some quotations include detailed engineering while others provide equipment only.
  7. Different installation scope — installation supervision is not equivalent to complete installation.
  8. Different utility systems — boilers, cooling systems, water treatment, transformers, and other utilities may be included or excluded.
  9. Different refining requirements — crude oil processing and refined edible oil production can require different downstream systems.
  10. Different commercial terms — shipping, Incoterms, payment conditions, warranty, and delivery scope can change the effective project cost.

Therefore, the same TPD figure does not automatically mean two quotations describe the same plant.

11. Case Example: 150TPD Cottonseed Cake Extraction and Refining

A 150TPD cottonseed cake extraction and refining project illustrates why the supply scope matters. The project includes a 150TPD cottonseed cake solvent extraction line, crude cottonseed oil refining, solvent recovery, steam and heat systems, and automated control.

The process starts with cottonseed cake preparation and pre-pressing, followed by solvent extraction. The extracted material then passes through wet meal desolventizing and drying, while the mixed oil goes through evaporation and solvent recovery before entering the refining section.

For a project with this configuration, a quotation that lists only “150TPD extraction plant” would not provide enough information for technical comparison. The buyer needs to know whether refining, solvent recovery, heat systems, automation, and other supporting equipment are included.

This example shows why an oil processing plant quotation should be evaluated by its complete supply boundary rather than by the headline capacity or price alone.

12. Case Example: 150TPD Multi-Oilseed Pretreatment and Extraction

A second 150TPD project demonstrates why raw material changes the quotation scope.

The Pakistan project is a 150TPD soybean, sunflower seed, and rapeseed pretreatment and solvent extraction line. It includes a 150TPD pretreatment system, 150TPD solvent extraction line, solvent recovery, wet meal desolventizing and drying, and automated control.

The line is designed to process multiple oilseeds, with pretreatment adjusted according to the physical characteristics of the raw material. The documented pretreatment stages include cleaning, crushing, conditioning, flaking, cooking, and pressing before solvent extraction.

This means two quotations can both state 150TPD while requiring different equipment configurations.

For a multi-oilseed project, the buyer should therefore check whether the quoted oil processing equipment quotation actually covers the required pretreatment configuration for each feedstock.

This is also why the raw material should be defined before requesting a quotation. Capacity without feedstock information does not provide enough technical information for an equivalent comparison.

13. What Information Should Buyers Provide When Requesting a Quotation?

A supplier can prepare a more useful quotation when the buyer provides sufficient project information.

Before sending an RFQ, buyers should define, where possible:

  • Raw material type
  • Expected processing capacity
  • Target products
  • Required processing technology
  • Crude oil or refined oil requirement
  • Desired refining level
  • Expected operating hours
  • Available utilities
  • Project location
  • Available buildings or site conditions
  • Automation requirements
  • Storage requirements
  • Packaging requirements
  • Required installation and commissioning support

For multi-oilseed projects, the buyer should identify each intended feedstock because pretreatment and processing configurations may vary.

A clear RFQ helps suppliers prepare quotations that can be compared on the same technical basis.

14. What Should Be Included in an RFQ Comparison?

Once quotations are received, buyers can use a standardized comparison structure.

Item Supplier A Supplier B
Raw Material
Capacity
Process Scope
Main Equipment
Automation
Utility Requirements
Engineering
Installation
Commissioning
Spare Parts
Exclusions
Delivery
Warranty
Payment Terms
Incoterms
Total Price

This approach helps prevent a low headline price from appearing attractive simply because important equipment, services, or project costs have been excluded.

15. Common Problems When Reviewing a Quotation

Several issues can make an oil processing quotation difficult to evaluate.

Only a Total Price Is Provided

A single price does not show what equipment or services are included.

Better approach: Request an itemized equipment list with specifications and quantities.

Capacity Is Not Clearly Defined

“100 TPD” or “150 TPD” is insufficient if the quotation does not state what the capacity represents.

Better approach: Confirm the raw material, capacity basis, and applicable process section.

“Complete Line” Is Not Defined

A supplier may use “complete line” to describe a narrower supply scope than another supplier.

Better approach: Request a detailed scope of supply and equipment schedule.

Utilities Are Unclear

Steam, electricity, water, cooling, fuel, or compressed air may be outside the quoted equipment scope.

Better approach: Request utility consumption requirements and identify who supplies each utility system.

Installation and Commissioning Are Vague

“Installation support” may mean supervision rather than complete installation.

Better approach: Confirm the exact installation, testing, commissioning, and training responsibilities.

Different Process Scopes Are Compared

A pressing line, extraction line, and complete processing plant can have very different equipment requirements.

Better approach: Compare quotations against the same process flow and technical specification.

Commercial Terms Are Missing

A quotation without clear payment, delivery, warranty, validity, or Incoterm information may not provide a reliable basis for final price comparison.

Better approach: Request complete commercial terms before making a final supplier comparison.

16. Oil Processing Plant Quotation Checklist

Before selecting a supplier, the buyer should verify the following:

  1. Raw material — Is the feedstock clearly identified?
  2. Capacity — Is the TPD or TPH basis clearly defined?
  3. Process scope — Which processing sections are included?
  4. Equipment list — Are the main and auxiliary machines itemized?
  5. Specifications — Are capacity, quantity, power, material, and key parameters provided?
  6. Automation and utilities — Are control systems and utility requirements defined?
  7. Engineering and services — Are installation, commissioning, and training responsibilities clear?
  8. Spare parts — Are initial and recommended spare parts identified?
  9. Included and excluded items — Can the buyer clearly determine the remaining project scope?
  10. Commercial terms — Are delivery, warranty, payment, shipment, and Incoterms stated?
  11. Quotation type — Is it a budgetary quotation or a final commercial quotation?
  12. Technical documents — Are the relevant process and equipment documents provided?

If major information is missing from these areas, the quotation may not provide enough information for a reliable technical comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should an oil processing plant quotation include?

An oil processing plant quotation should include raw material, capacity, process scope, equipment, technical specifications, automation, utilities, engineering, installation, commissioning, spare parts, delivery, warranty, payment terms, and clearly defined inclusions and exclusions.

What information should I provide when requesting an oil processing plant quotation?

Buyers should provide the raw material, required capacity, target products, processing technology where known, project location, available utilities, and required engineering, installation, and commissioning scope.

Does an oil processing plant quotation include installation?

Not necessarily. Installation may be included, offered as supervision, or excluded entirely. The quotation should clearly define whether mechanical installation, electrical installation, piping, testing, and commissioning are included.

Does quoted capacity refer to raw material input or oil output?

It depends on the quotation. The supplier should clearly state whether TPD or TPH refers to raw material input, processing throughput, a specific processing section, or final product output.

Why do two suppliers quote different prices for the same capacity?

Different prices can result from differences in raw material, processing technology, equipment configuration, automation, engineering scope, utilities, installation, services, and commercial terms.

What is the difference between a production line quotation and a turnkey plant quotation?

A production line quotation may cover the processing equipment and selected engineering or services. A turnkey quotation generally defines a broader project responsibility, potentially including engineering, equipment supply, installation, commissioning, and startup support.

Should buyers compare quotations by total price?

No. Buyers should first standardize raw material, capacity, process scope, equipment configuration, services, exclusions, and commercial conditions. Price should be compared only after the technical scope is equivalent.

What is the difference between a budgetary quotation and a final quotation?

A budgetary quotation is generally used for preliminary project planning and investment estimation. A final commercial quotation should be based on a more clearly defined technical and commercial scope and be suitable for detailed supplier evaluation.

Conclusion

An oil processing plant quotation should be evaluated as a complete technical and commercial document rather than as a single equipment price.

The most useful comparison sequence is:

Raw Material → Capacity → Process Scope → Equipment Configuration → Engineering and Services → Utilities → Exclusions → Commercial Terms

The two 150TPD projects illustrate why this approach matters. The cottonseed cake project combines solvent extraction, refining, solvent recovery, heat systems, and automation, while the Pakistan project requires a flexible pretreatment and extraction configuration for soybean, sunflower seed, and rapeseed.

Therefore, a lower quotation should not automatically be considered the better offer. The more useful question is whether the quoted equipment, process, services, exclusions, and commercial conditions match the actual production requirement on an equivalent basis.

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