Americas
Editorial Comment: Refining overcapacity—will the trend continue?
In September 2015, the Editorial Comment centered on the theme of overcapacity.
Prospective costs of the EPA’s proposed RMP chemical accident prevention requirements
On March 14, 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed revisions to its Risk Management Plan (RMP) facility safety program in the US Federal Register.
Review of the CSB report on the 2010 Tesoro refinery fire
On April 2, 2010, a catastrophic fire occurred within the naphtha hydrotreating unit in the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. The final CSB report, including recommendations, was issued in May 2014, more than four years after the incident that resulted in the tragic loss of seven lives. This work critically reviews the CSB analysis of this incident and several of its resulting recommendations.
Case study: Plan and execute a coke drum replacement project
The delayed coking unit is a critical part of a refinery’s crude oil process flow and profitability.
EIA: US crude oil, distillate stockpiles exceed expectations
US crude oil stockpiles and distillate inventories increased more rapidly than expected last week, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Indorama Ventures Louisiana ethane cracker refurbishment ahead of schedule
Indorama Ventures’ majority-owned Lake Charles, Louisiana gas cracker received an air permit from US authorities, signifying an important step forward in maintaining the plant’s startup schedule.
Canada regulator suspends TransCanada pipeline approval hearing
Canada's National Energy Board suspended Montreal hearings on TransCanada Corp.'s proposed Energy East pipeline after protests disrupted the first day of the process.
Mexico may liberalize gas prices in 2017
Mexico's government will propose that Congress bring forward one year the planned liberalization of gasoline prices.
Phillips 66 cuts output at Linden refinery amid weak margins
Phillips 66 cut production by roughly 5% at its 238 Mbpd refinery in Linden, New Jersey, amid weak refining margins.
ExxonMobil to put Montana refinery on block
ExxonMobil Corp. is in the first stages of seeking a potential buyer for its Billings, Montana, refinery, one of the company's only US plants that is not integrated with its chemical operations

- CNOOC completes construction on $2.9-B, 1.8-MMtpy integrated complex in east China 8/22
- bp's Whiting refinery (U.S.) continues to flare days after severe thunderstorm 8/22
- Bachmann introduces latest version M-Target for Simulink 8/22
- U.S. to rule on biofuel waivers, but big oil refiners may need to wait 8/22
- Chinese independent refiner Hongrun buys Canadian, Brazilian crude 8/22
- Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia 8/22