Europe
US sees Nord Stream gas link as security threat
Many EU governments complain that the Nord Stream proposal increases dependency on Russia's Gazprom, which supplies around a third of the European Union's gas.
China cuts West African oil imports as refiners cite delays, full tanks
Chinese loadings of West African crude declined from 19-month highs in May as delivery delays, port congestion and full tanks scuppered interest from private 'teapot' refiners.
Couche-Tard acquires Shell’s downstream retail business in Denmark
The transaction between Shell and Couche-Tard has received the appropriate regulatory approvals, and all final closing requirements have been completed.
Bechtel to license delayed coking technology at Assiut refinery in Egypt
The new delayed coking unit will be part of the $1.5B refinery modernization program, using Bechtel's proprietary ThruPlus coking technology to upgrade heavy oil into light hydrocarbon liquids.
Catalytic coprocessing of used cooking oil with straight-run gasoil in a hydrotreating pilot plant
A promising route to obtain bio-gasoil (bioGO) or hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is the catalytic coprocessing of vegetable oil with diesel oil in a conventional hydrotreating unit.
Business Trends: Global petrochemical overview—Part 2
Part 1 of this series provided an overview on the present state of the petrochemical industry, a breakdown on construction project numbers by region, as well as major trends in Africa, the Middle East and the US. Part 2 examines the landscape in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe and Latin America.
Global Project Data
According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database, nearly 300 new downstream projects have been announced around the globe over the past year.
Iran secures two more European refiners as customers for its oil
Both refiners bought Iran's oil before sanctions against the country's nuclear program effectively halted its shipments to Europe, which had accounted for more than a third of its exports.
Refining’s silver lining fades at Exxon, Chevron
Growing fuel inventories and weak demand are now hammering the refining industry, turning a typical advantage for integrated oil companies on its head.
Total beats profit forecasts on strong performance in refining, chemicals
Total said in its downstream segment, although refining margins were down compared with 2015, the business had held up well and remained strong at the beginning of the second quarter.
- Kumho Mitsui Chemicals to increase capacity of MDI production facilities 12/15
- ABS, Eneos, NYK Line and Seacor Holdings launch joint study to develop a methanol marine fuel supply network in the U.S. 12/15
- ENEOS accelerates AI-driven materials discovery of immersion cooling fluids and novel catalysts Using NVIDIA ALCHEMI 12/15
- SAMSUNG E&A wins FEED contract for nearly $5-B SAF plant in the U.S. 12/15
- KBR wins green ammonia project by IGNIS in Spain 12/15
- Phillips 66 announces $2.4-B capital budget for 2026 12/15
