Americas
Winter storm challenges US East Coast energy complex
NEW YORK (Reuters) — The US energy industry is facing a massive test of its infrastructure as an intense winter storm roars up the Atlantic Coast, threatening power outages, refinery shutdowns and spikes in heating prices.
EIA: Crude oil prices increased in 2017, Brent-WTI spread widened
Crude oil prices ended 2017 at $60/bbl, the highest end-of-year price since 2013. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices averaged $51/bbl in 2017, up $7/bbl from the 2016 average, and ended the year $6/bbl higher than at the end of 2016.
US chemical production continues to rise by end of 2017
WASHINGTON — According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the US Chemical Production Regional Index (US CPRI) rose 1.2% in November, following a 0.5% gain in October, and a 1.2% decline in September. The upturn reflects the rebounding overall manufacturing activity in addition to continued recovery from the hurricanes. During November, chemical output increased in all regions.
Brazil 2017 oil exports up 25% over prior year
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) — Brazilian oil exports rose nearly 25% to 51.96 MMt in 2017 compared with the prior year, Brazilian government data showed on Tuesday.
Chevron Phillips ethane cracker at Cedar Bayou hits milestone
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP announced that its world-scale ethane cracker at Cedar Bayou in Baytown, Texas successfully achieved the major milestone of mechanical completion.
Oil trades near strongest levels since mid-2015 on Iranian unrest
SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) — Oil prices posted their strongest opening to a year since 2014 on Tuesday, with crude rising to mid-2015 highs amid large anti-government rallies in Iran and ongoing supply cuts led by OPEC and Russia.
Editorial Comment: Biofuels—A viable fuel source for the future?
This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> focuses on the use of alternative feedstocks and biofuels. The goal of utilizing these technologies is to produce fuels and products that lower total carbon output/emissions, which is a major focus in decarbonizing economies around the world.
Global Project Data
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database is tracking more than 330 active gas processing/LNG projects around the world.
Business Trends: The future of LNG—Part 1
Over the past several years, new gas processing/LNG capacity has surged in nearly every region. Growth on both the supply and demand sides has resulted in the announcement of billions of dollars of capital investment across the world. Millions of tons of new LNG import and export capacity have commenced operations, with hundreds of millions of tons still under development.
Industry Perspectives: New gas processing/LNG project announcements increase for the first time in three years
According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database, nearly 800 new projects have been announced since 2015. Over the past few years, new project announcements have decreased each year. However, the rate of decline has slowed over the past year.
- Executive Viewpoint: Heavy industry, light footprint—Helping the HPI run leaner and cleaner with AI 7/3
- Digital Feature: Flare system design—The importance of periodic evaluation of existing facilities 7/2
- Valmet to deliver Valmet DNA DCS to a bio-based process plant in Portugal 7/2
- EIA: U.S. crude and gasoline inventories rise, distillates draw down 7/2
- Indonesia's Pertamina seeks spot gasoline, including Singapore cargoes 7/2
- Northeast Asia sends the most jet fuel to Europe in nearly a year in June 7/2
