Americas
American Petroleum Institute names new leader of global industry services
GIS is the API organization’s division responsible for certification, standards, training, events, publications and safety programs for onshore, offshore and refinery operations.
Pemex to invest $23 billion to expand, upgrade many Mexican refineries
With the $23 billion in investment, Pemex aims to increase its production of clean fuels and expand its crude processing capacity at several refineries, according to government officials.
Phillips 66 starts up new Texas NGL fractionator
Sweeny Fractionator One supplies purity ethane and LPG to the petrochemical industry and heating markets. It is supported by 250 miles of new pipelines and a multi-million barrel storage cavern complex.
North American chemicals seen as stable in 2016
Producers are benefiting from solid demand in domestic manufacturing and the recovery in US construction and consumption, despite the sector being comprised of many heterogeneous products.
Wood Group buys downstream contractor Infinity
Texas-based Infinity provides a range of services including mechanical construction, fabrication, project management, turnarounds, maintenance services, heavy civil works, site preparation, and electrical and instrumentation services. The existing management team will continue to lead the business.
New thermal insulative coating enhances personnel protection, minimizes corrosion
Oil and gas operators looking to enhance worker safety and minimize corrosion under insulation (CUI) risks can turn to a new insulative acrylic coating from Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings.
Monthly US chemical production edges higher
There were gains in the three-month moving average output trend of consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and inorganics (chlor-alkali), synthetic rubber, and other specialties. At the same time, there were declines in the production of organic chemicals, adhesives, fertilizers and coatings.
Linde sees petrochemical customers hesitating to make new investments
"There are no cancellations, but customers are shying away from signing new orders," CEO Wolfgang Beuchele said, speaking of the global petrochemicals industry.
HP Viewpoint: Interesting times to continue for refiners in 2016
A year ago in this publication, John England and Ashnu Mittal were prescient in their article titled “US shale revolution set to spill over into downstream.”
HP Industry Metrics
Global refinery margins fell due to the expectations of a mild winter and an oversupply environment.
- UPM unlocks new bio-based markets as Leuna biorefinery produces its first commercial product 12/19
- Stamicarbon awarded technology licensing contract for new urea plant in Eastern China 12/19
- Ford takes $19.5-B writedown on EV business 12/19
- Babcock & Wilcox awarded $40-MM contract for advanced wet gas scrubbing technology at Canadian petroleum refinery 12/19
- Aarti Industries secures methanol and toluene feedstock supply through multiple long-term contracts 12/19
- bp picks first outsider CEO Meg O'Neill after abrupt Auchincloss exit 12/19
