Refining
US investigates Brazil’s Odebrecht, Braskem over naphtha contracts
Local daily Valor Economico said the Justice Department was focusing its investigation on whether the companies violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in naphtha supply contracts.
Iran’s lack of storage access limits oil exports to European refiners
Some 45-50 million barrels of Iran's oil are estimated to be held in tankers at sea, barely changed from the amounts thought to be in floating storage before sanctions were lifted at the start of the year.
Morocco’s refiner Samir appeals liquidation ruling
Samir, controlled by Corral Petroleum, halted production last August due to financial difficulties. "We had 10 days to file an appeal and we finally did it on Thursday," Samir's lawyer said.
Meridian Energy applies for permits to build new North Dakota refinery
The proposed Davis refinery in North Dakota will be the first “greenfield” complex high-conversion refinery built in many years, according to company officials.
Oil price war scares sense of US energy security
Imports will almost certainly increase further over the remainder of the year as refineries ramp up production to meet record gasoline consumption and US crude output continues to decline.
US energy workers hit hard by investment in company stock plans
In Oklahoma and Texas, workers are delaying retirement plans, surrendering trucks, cars and land in personal bankruptcy cases, or just praying oil prices will recover.
Russia exports more oil as refineries go offline
Russian refineries traditionally have the largest offline capacity in April, as companies scramble to finish maintenance before consumption of oil products peaks in summer.
Indonesia considers removing diesel subsidies in revised 2016 budget
The administration removed gasoline subsidies at the start of 2015, but kept subsidising diesel fuel. It reallocated the money to infrastructure expenditure.
EU clears Statoil to buy Shell’s Danish fuels unit
The European Commission had been concerned that the deal could have led to Danish consumers paying more for their fuel, diesel, gasoline and light heating oil.
US expands imports of Nigerian oil as refiners turn to West African crudes
Nigeria was the fourth-largest supplier of foreign crude to the US last week, displacing Mexico and also competing with Iraq and Colombia, according to preliminary figures from the EIA.
- Brazil's Petrobras approves $1.2 billion investment for renewable fuels plant 6/22
- First batch of equipment arrives in Kazakhstan for $7.7-B Atyrau polyethylene project 6/22
- Explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG complex kills 13, injures 66 6/22
- Asia has plenty of crude oil, but refined fuels remain tight 6/22
- Fire extinguished at Marathon's Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas (U.S.) 6/22
- El Nino, expanding ethanol use squeeze India sugar supply 6/22
