Americas
Migrating from Fortran to ISA S-88
A major refiner operates two catalytic reforming units for gasoline octane improvement and aromatics production in Texas. In each of these units, five reactors filled with catalyst are operated continuously in series to reform paraffinic hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen (H2). During this process, some byproduct coke is unavoidably produced and deposits on the catalyst, which leads to gradual catalyst deactivation.
2018 Industry Leaders’ Viewpoints
To kick off the new year, industry leaders and esteemed colleagues shared their viewpoints on 2018 and beyond with Hydrocarbon Processing. These viewpoints offer insight into growing regions of activity, technological advances, and how the downstream industry can innovate in 2018 and into the future.
Advancing export terminal technology: An optimized process for the refrigeration of cryogenic hydrocarbons
Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.
US crude ends year above $60 on strong global oil demand
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) — US oil prices closed above $60/bbl on the final trading day of the year, the first time since mid-2015, as the commodity ended 2017 with a 12% gain spurred by strong demand and declining global inventories.
After Trump criticism, China denies selling oil illicitly to N.Korea
BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) — China on Friday denied reports it has been illicitly selling oil products to North Korea after US President Donald Trump said he was not happy that China had allowed oil to reach the isolated nation.
Oil prices stay near high on strong US refinery runs, China data
NEW YORK (Reuters) — Oil prices edged up on Thursday, remaining near 2-1/2-year highs after data showed strong demand for crude imports in China and on increased US refining activity that drew more crude from inventories.
Explosion at major Venezuela refinery injures two
PUNTO FIJO, Venezuela (Reuters) — A furnace exploded during a unit restart at Venezuela’s largest refining complex, injuring two workers, a union leader and a family member of one of the victims said on Wednesday.
Demand to ship gasoline on Colonial Pipeline at 2-month low
NEW YORK (Reuters) — Demand to ship gasoline on Colonial Pipeline has sunk to a two-month low as Gulf Coast supplies are increasingly being exported or sent to the Midwest rather than to the New York harbor, three sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
USTDA to host reverse trade mission for refinery optimization with India government, executives
USTDA is hosting a group of Indian oil and gas officials, and senior executives from state-owned and private sector Indian refineries on a visit to the United States where they will see the design, manufacture, and operation of US goods and services.
SNC-Lavalin signs framework agreement with Shell
MONTREAL — SNC-Lavalin announced that it has signed a Framework Agreement (FA) with Shell to provide pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for modular options on Shell's projects.

- 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