Columns
HPInternet: 1st Chemical Market
There are many chemical trading sites on the Internet, and 1st Chemical Market is one of my favorites. You must register to use this site, but you can get a 30-day free trial to see if you like it, so..
HP Insight: MTBE – a chemical under fire
Not too long ago, MTBE was the rising petrochemical star of the HPI. Unfortunately, controversy surrounds this oxygenate. MTBE gained national prominence under the clean fuels program from the CAAA. T..
HPIn SHE: Making pictures
Long ago, I used to write "appreciations" (i.e., informed guesswork) about likely technology developments of the Evil Empire. Surprisingly to an outsider, there was great emphasis on honesty. Our depa..
HPIn Processing: Ultra-merger
This past year was quite a rough one for the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) and the oil industry in general. Many "records" were broken or came close to being broken. These "records" include so..
HPIn Competitiveness: Strategic distinction for success
I recently completed a consulting assignment to develop a line-of-business model. It was for a firm that had developed a suite of leading-edge software and associated services to serve all aspects of ..
Trends and Resources
HP Innovations: HPInnovations
Ultrasonic flowmeter approved for CTAs In custody transfer application (CTA) trading, highly accurate flowmeters are essential when measuring crude oil and oil products. KROHNE's Altosonic V is clai..
HPInformer: HPInformer, International edition
ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, an international engineering and technology group, has received approval from the European Commission (EC) to complete its acquisition of Elsag Bailey Process Automation N.V...
HPInformer: HPInformer, North America edition
Bacharach, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has purchased Exidyne Instrumentation Technologies (EIT), Exton, Pennsylvania. EIT is now part of the worldwide family of Bacharach companies. Through the ..
Free Literature: NEW Developments
Safety relief valve solutions The 19000 series consolidated portable safety relief valve was developed to meet the changing needs of today's plant operating systems. The series claims to provide sup..
HP Construction: HPIn Construction
The Air Liquide Group inaugurates hydrogen plant The Air Liquide Group has inaugurated one of its largest hydrogen plants in Corpus Christi, Texas. The plant is located in a large industrial region...
Free Literature: FREE literature
Ultrasonic NDT newsletter The fall/ winter edition of Krautkramer's "NDTimes" ultrasonic nondestructive testing newsletter is now available. The six-page publication contains articles on testing app..
HP In Brief: HPIn Brief
The U.S. chemical industry had a $13.5 billion positive trade surplus in 1998. Thus, it retained its record as the nation's number one exporter. Data from the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) ..
HP Impact: HPImpact: Outlook for methanol focuses on volatility
The outlook for the global methanol market was analyzed at a World Methanol Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, Dec. 810, 1998, organized by CMAI. Highlights from selected presentations summarize th..
HP Impact: HPImpact: Shell reorganizes HPI divisions
Corporate realigning within large firms in the HPI continues. In December, Royal Dutch / Shell announced a major restructuring program. In a response to difficult economic times, the reorganization is..
HP Impact: HPImpact: Fossil fuels 'to meet 95% of energy demand'
The latest World Energy Outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) aims to identify and discuss the main issues and uncertainties affecting world energy demand and supply to 2020. IEA proje..
HP Impact: HPImpact: Expansions forecast for North American natural gas markets
The North American continent is the largest market for natural gas in the world, with over 30% of worldwide consumption. While the market is already very large, "it will undergo significant expansion ..
HP Impact: HPImpact: Growth to be 'modest' for kerojet in Asia
As with oil demand in general, the current sad state of most Asia-Pacific economies has taken a bite out of kerojet demand growth over the next two to three years. This is according to a recent report..
HP Impact: HPImpact: Process technologies' energy usage rated
Petroleum refining processes are very energy-intensive, often requiring large amounts of power and process heat. A new DOE publication, Energy and Environmental Profile of the U.S. Petroleum Refining ..