Refining
US refiner Valero joins lawsuits against EPA over biofuels blending plan
The country's top refiner and No. 3 ethanol producer filed a challenge with the US Court of Appeals in Washington to review the EPA's latest Renewable Fuel Standard plans for 2014-2016.
Downstream strength enables France’s Total to exceed expectations
The company saw high margins in refining and chemicals and a strong performance in its retail and lubricant businesses. Total fared better than many peers in the quarter, as its extensive downstream business benefited from weak oil prices.
AFPM files legal challenge to US biofuel mandate
AFPM said the petition to the US Court of Appeals is targeting the Environmental Protection Agency's rule-making around the Renewable Fuels Standards from 2014-2016.
Flint Hills to license Edeniq’s ethanol technology
Edeniq’s Pathway Technology integrates Edeniq’s Cellunator high-shear equipment with cellulase enzymes to convert corn kernel fiber to cellulosic ethanol. The technology utilizes existing fermentation and distillation equipment to produce up to 2.5% cellulosic ethanol and a 7% increase in overall ethanol yield.
Iran, Brazil begin talks on Iranian investment in Brazilian refineries
Iran, which is boosting oil output after the end of sanctions over its nuclear program, is interested in exporting oil to Brazil and processing that crude at refineries in Brazil's northeastern region.
Oil, gasoline prices fall as US cuts demand outlook
Prices were under pressure throughout the session, but hit intraday lows after the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) lowered its oil demand growth forecast for the next two years.
US gasoline, distillate fuel inventories rise: EIA
Gasoline stocks rose 1.3 million bbl to a new record high of 255.7 million bbl, compared with analysts' expectations for a 417,000-bbl gain. Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 1.3 million bbl, versus expectations for a 1.6 million bbl drop, the EIA data showed.
Kuwait’s KPC to sell struggling assets to cut costs
Nizar al-Adsani, chief executive of KPC, was quoted as saying the company had started efforts to sell its Europoort refinery in the Netherlands and had decided to shut a fertilizer plant.
US gasoline costs fall to lowest levels since 2009
The latest price was 37 cents lower than a year ago as competitive pressures prompted refineries to drop wholesale gasoline prices amid weak oil prices, Lundberg said.
Iran mulls investment stakes in foreign refineries
Hamid Sharif Razi said the NIOEC holds a 30% stake in a 250,000-bpd refinery project in Malaysia, and was planning to take a 40% stake in a 300,000-bpd refinery in Indonesia.
- Valmet to acquire Severn Group to strengthen Process Performance Solutions segment 12/22
- World’s first dynamic green ammonia plant starts operations in Denmark 12/22
- Baker Hughes to supply liquefaction equipment for Commonwealth LNG export project 12/22
- South Korea petrochemical firms on track to cut up to 3.7 MM tons of output 12/22
- MOL and JERA sign HoAs for the charter of ammonia carriers 12/22
- China's November fuel oil imports up 15% from October 12/22

