Engineering & Design
Consider pitot tube pumps for low-flow, high-head applications
Low-flow, high-head pumping requirements in refining and petrochemical plants make up less than 2% of the total pump population. This minor percentage is creating significant reliability concerns, which result in low mean-time between failures (MTBF), as well as high maintenance costs.
Borealis awards Jacobs FEED contract for PDH plant in Belgium
DALLAS — Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has been awarded a contract to complete a front end engineering design (FEED) study for a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant located at the existing Borealis production site in Kallo, Belgium.
Curacao nixes refinery operation deal with China firm
(Reuters) — The government of Curacao has scrapped a preliminary agreement with China’s Guangdong Zhenrong Energy (GZE) to operate the island's aging Isla refinery, saying the company misrepresented itself and was unable to take on such a large endeavor.
Chevron Phillips ethane cracker at Cedar Bayou hits milestone
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP announced that its world-scale ethane cracker at Cedar Bayou in Baytown, Texas successfully achieved the major milestone of mechanical completion.
Engineering Practices—CAD for plant layout: Being right by being safe
When we think of oil and gas industry hazards, we often perceive them as an enormous oil rig engulfed in flames in the middle of nowhere.
Engineering Case Histories—Case 99: Pooling knowledge and experience builds personal and team success
With the help of an excellent mentor, I became adept at analyzing equipment and structures at the start of my career, using analytical techniques.
Incorporate assurance into an operational readiness program—Part 2
Investors have a critical need for assurance that the asset they are invested in will achieve continuous operation at the designed rates, as well as meet—and hopefully surpass—reliability, availability and maintenance targets safely.
2018 Industry Leaders’ Viewpoints
To kick off the new year, industry leaders and esteemed colleagues shared their viewpoints on 2018 and beyond with Hydrocarbon Processing. These viewpoints offer insight into growing regions of activity, technological advances, and how the downstream industry can innovate in 2018 and into the future.
Advancing export terminal technology: An optimized process for the refrigeration of cryogenic hydrocarbons
Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.
SNC-Lavalin signs framework agreement with Shell
MONTREAL — SNC-Lavalin announced that it has signed a Framework Agreement (FA) with Shell to provide pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for modular options on Shell's projects.
- Slovakia considers higher diesel price for foreigners to battle fuel tourism 3/17
- China's fuel export ban to further tighten Asia supply 3/17
- Japanese refiner Idemitsu to invest $500 MM in Australian Midocean to enter LNG business 3/17
- European airlines plan challenge to EU synthetic jet fuel rules 3/17
- CITGO launches advanced grease technology for severe-duty applications 3/17
- Macquarie walks away from Kuwait oil pipelines deal amid Iran war 3/17

