Middle East
Aramco reduces oil differentials for Europe refiners
The reductions by Saudi Aramco reflect the anticipated reopening of the Ras Lanuf and Es Sider terminals in Libya, which could increase that country's crude oil exports by 500,000 bpd. They also reflect the intention for Saudi oil to remain competitive in southern European markets.
Oman’s Orpic picks LyondellBasell polypropylene technology at new plant
"We selected the LyondellBasell Spheripol process for its ability to cost-effectively produce a wide range of high-quality products that are demanded by our customers throughout the Middle East and South East Asia," said Henk Pauw, Orpic's general manager for the Liwa plastics project.
Pentair supplies wedge-gate valves at Middle East petrochemicals project
Engineered and manufactured under the Fasani brand, the specialist carbon steel bodied valves measure 78 and 84 inches in diameter with ANSI class 150 pressure rating.
Update on secondary seals for fluid machines
Elastomer-based O-rings are used as secondary sealing components in millions of fluid machines. Although O-ring seals are primarily intended for fluid containment between different but nonrotating com..
Improve compressor reliability with advanced chemical treatments
Although many olefin plants are making big investments in hardware and metallurgy to improve compressor performance and to extend run lengths, the reliability, efficiency and throughput capacity of the CGC are still key influences on plant profitability.
Triple-offset valves offer advantages in emergency services
Liquid hydrocarbon storage facilities have used triple-offset valves (TOVs) in traditional tank farm applications for decades. Due to more stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, ..
Case history: Troubleshooting a leaking valve in a hydrogen unit
A Middle East refinery installed a hydrogen plant that was designed to produce 20,000 Nm3/hr of pure hydrogen (H2) to support a diesel hydrotreater. The unit was commissioned in 2006. This H2 plant wa..
Examining the ecological and profitable uses of refinery residues
With prices pressured and stricter environmental legislation being implemented, refineries are being increasingly forced to look at new ways of processing heavy residues.
Innovative modeling of heavy crudes provides competitive advantages
The increase in heavy crude production, together with the diversity of heavy crude characteristics and sources, leads to technical challenges in accurately predicting production and refining process performance.
How are leading organizations implementing operational excellence?
ExxonMobil did not devote four full pages to operational excellence (OE) in its 2012 annual report because they had nothing else to talk about, but rather because they viewed it as one of their five k..
- Serbia secures U.S. sanctions waiver for its NIS oil firm 3/20
- Tanker carrying fuel originally bound for Cuba diverts to Trinidad 3/20
- Vietnam accelerates shift to ethanol fuel as Iran war drives up energy prices 3/20
- Damaged Russian tanker days away from Libyan shores, Italian official says 3/20
- India’s Reliance buys about 155,000 bpd Russian oil after pause 3/20
- China's Sinochem cuts refinery runs, seeks prompt-delivery crude 3/20
