Refining
Chinese refiners boost oil imports to record high
"Higher teapot demand and stronger refining margins which encouraged higher refinery throughputs have contributed to increased imports," an analyst said.
SOCAR selects KBR venture to manage Baku refinery modernization
Total capacity will be increased from 6 MMtpy to 7.5 MMtpy, while the catalytic cracking unit will be raised from 2 MMtpy to 2.5 MMtpy. Euro 5 standards will be established for all refined products.
Hedge funds turn strongly bullish on oil markets
Signs of financial distress across much of the oil industry, coupled with data showing production outside OPEC falling, continued market chatter about an agreement among producers, and evidence of strong demand for gasoline, have allowed hedge funds to construct a more bullish narrative.
Nigeria aims to eliminate refined product imports within next 18 months
Nigeria's four refineries have never reached full production because of sabotage and poor maintenance, causing the country to rely on expensive imported fuel for most of its energy needs.
US regulators eye increase to truck fuel efficiency
The decision by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency to consider additional public comments through April 1 comes amid a sharp slump in US large truck sales that has sparked thousands of layoffs.
Phillips 66 reports emissions, plant repairs at Borger refinery in Texas
"The line going to Unit 34's SRU [sulfur recovery unit] incinerator is partially plugged with sulfur," Phillips 66 said in a filing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The company said that sections of that line will be heated in an effort to melt out the sulfur.
Petrobras confirms explosion at Texas refinery as worker suffers burns
The explosion caused extensive damage to a 35,000 bpd light cycle oil hydrotreater, also called a hydrogen desulfurization unit, which uses hydrogen to convert the oil into diesel and remove sulfur.
European refiners increasingly turn to light US oil
Many European refiners face the problem of not having run a US crude through their systems in living memory and, as such, are wary of doing so, even though the numbers might make economic sense.
Kuwait refines crude pricing strategy in battle for European customers
Large sales from Iraq's Kurdistan into Europe have added to the competition and now Kuwait -- a usually little-noticed seller in Europe -- is both increasing sales and making its crude more attractive.
Thai Oil starts up first linear alkyl benzene plant
The plant has production capacity of 100,000 tpy, and the Thai refiner plans to export half of the output to India and other Southeast Asian countries, the company's CFO said.
- Nextchem completes acquisition of Ballestra, expanding its technology portfolio in phosphates and fertilizers 6/25
- ABB's SensyMaster flowmeter receives SIL 2 certification for use in safety-critical process applications 6/25
- INEOS Oligomers announced two new product launches across its specialty chemicals portfolio. 6/25
- Phillips 66 CEO warns of refining, petrochemical earnings volatility from Hormuz disruptions 6/25
- Hynfra secures critical land rights for 120,000-tpy green ammonia plant in Jordan 6/25
- Maire signs MoU to explore SAF production in Kazakhstan 6/24
