Americas
Oil prices fall after sharp rise in US stockpiles
SINGAPORE/TOKYO (Reuters) -- Oil prices fell on Thursday after official data showed US crude and gasoline stockpiles rose sharply, although signs that OPEC and other producers are holding the line on output cuts helped support prices.
Industry Metrics
European refinery margins weakened due to slower gasoline export opportunities, despite the colder weather.
Global Project Data
According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database, new project announcements have averaged 11 per month since mid-2016.
Business Trends: Anticipated market and pricing impacts from new marine fuel regulations
In October 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that it will implement a new regulation that calls for the sulfur content in marine fuels to be reduced from 3.5% to 0.5%. The new regulation will go into effect in January 2020. This action by the IMO will have a profound impact on the maritime and refining industries worldwide, as well as on the environment. This month’s Business Trends section provides an overview on the anticipated impacts of the IMO’s decision on petroleum product markets.
Industry Perspectives: Global desulfurization capacity to skyrocket over the long term
According to OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2016, desulfurization capacity additions represent the largest capacity increases among all process units to 2040. This trend is due to increased regulations on the amount of sulfur allowed in transportation fuels.
Editorial Comment: The future of refining lies in clean fuels
Each year, <sub>Hydrocarbon Processing</sub> devotes an issue to the topic of clean fuels—and rightly so. As the world continues to welcome more vehicles on the road, and as emerging economies invest in civil, industrial and energy projects, global fuels demand is forecast to increase through the end of the decade.
Performance testing: The key to successful revamps
Process unit revamps often do not result in a refiner achieving its desired objectives. This is typically not the result of mechanical defects with process equipment.
Praxair launches hydrogen recovery unit to support Dow's Freeport operations
Praxair completed a new hydrogen recovery and processing plant at the company’s Freeport, Texas production complex. The company held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility on Jan. 31 (FIG. 1). The new hydrogen facility will recover by-product hydrogen from Dow Chemical’s ethylene production facilities, and upgrade it into high-purity hydrogen by using a pressure swing adsorption process.
Pertamina using Honeywell UOP technology to boost clean fuels production
DES PLAINES, Ill. -- Honeywell announced that PT Pertamina will use Honeywell UOP technology to produce high-octane gasoline blending components and jet fuel at its Balikpapan refinery in Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia.
CB&I announces CDAlky technology award in China
THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- CB&I announced it has been awarded a contract by Shaanxi Yanchang Petrochemical Group for the license and engineering design of an alkylation unit in Yan'an City, Shaanxi, China. The alkylation unit will use CB&I's CDAlky advanced sulfuric acid alkylation technology.
- European Commission unveils plan to drop ICE ban in the EU 12/18
- U.S. EPA expects to finalize biofuel rules in first quarter of 2026 12/18
- German cabinet approves draft biofuels law, food-based ingredient use to continue 12/18
- NextChem opens new plastic upcycling plant in Italy 12/18
- Ineos' Sir Jim Ratcliffe calls on Europe's politicians to take immediate action to protect the European chemical industry 12/18
- MB Energy expands aviation fuel supply to airlines at Copenhagen Airport 12/18
