Refining
Valero books $1.1-B impairment, may idle California refinery
Valero Energy Corp. said on Wednesday it was taking a $1.1-B pre-tax impairment related to its California (U.S.) refineries and told state regulators it would permanently shut or restructure its San Francisco-area refinery in Benicia, California by the end of April 2026.
Czechs hail end of Russian oil dependence with first increased deliveries from west
The Czech Republic has become fully independent of Russian oil supplies for the first time in its history, government officials said on Thursday, following the completion of capacity upgrades on the TAL pipeline coming from the west.
Top Turkish refiner Tupras resumes buying Russian Urals crude
Turkey's largest oil refiner Tupras has returned to buying Russian Urals crude cargoes, after it stopped doing so earlier this year due to US sanctions on Moscow, according to three trading sources and shipping data.
U.S. fuel exports to Mexico by land halted by higher scrutiny
The Mexican government has halted U.S. fuel imports sent into the country by road, as it cracks down on illegal deals.
Asian slump, Cyclone Alfred, slash Ampol's refinery margins by half
Australia's top fuel retailer Ampol reported a 49% drop in 1Q refining margins for its Lytton refinery in Queensland on Wednesday, citing lost production due to Cyclone Alfred and weak refining margins in Singapore — a bellwether for Asia.
Digital Feature: Utilizing steam stripping to remove benzene from wastewater and waste streams: A guide to maintaining compliant benzene levels with confidence
In February of 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an enforcement alert warning stating that chemical plants releasing significant amounts of carcinogens like benzene and other harmful chemicals into the air and water, in violation of environmental regulations, could face substantial penalties.
OQ, Royal Vopak partner to accelerate development of Duqm as an integrated industrial hub
OQ, spearheading the development of Duqm in Oman as a premier integrated hub for hydrocarbons, chemicals, and low-carbon products, and Royal Vopak entered into an exclusive partnership framework agreement in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). This is a significant step for a strategic alliance that aims to unlock future growth opportunities in industrial and energy terminal infrastructure and sustainable energy transition facilities in SEZAD.
Kuwait commences merger of state oil firms KNPC and KIPIC
Kuwait has begun taking executive steps to merge two of its state-owned oil firms, news agency Kuna reported on Tuesday, as the OPEC producer seeks to restructure its energy industry.
Russia well prepared for refinery maintenances with high fuel stockpiles
Russia has ample motor fuel inventories to offset possible shortages during refinery maintenances.
Japan's Fuji Oil restarts 143,000-bpd Sodegaura CDU after fire
Japanese refiner Fuji Oil has restarted the 143,000-bpd crude distillation unit (CDU) at its Sodegaura refinery.
- Hanwha Ocean signs strategic MoU with Kanata Clean Power for proposed $15.7-B, 12-MMtpy FLNG project in Canada 6/18
- Burckhardt Compression secures milestone order for first industrial scale liquefied CO₂ carrier supporting Northern Lights CCS project 6/18
- Dynelectro dispatches 250-kW electrolyzer unit to Syntholene’s Iceland eSAF project 6/18
- EIA: U.S. crude inventories decline for tenth week to over 40-yr low 6/18
- Australia opens first carbon refinery, making new products from captured CO2 6/18
- ABB expands non-invasive sensing portfolio to advance simpler, safer temperature measurement 6/18

