Americas
Brazil’s fuel consumption falls as economy shrinks
Brazil became one of the largest and fastest-growing oil consumers in the world, and the country's rapid growth was itself a source of upward pressure on oil prices. But consumption growth began to slow significantly from the middle of 2014 as the price of oil tumbled.
Primus, Tauber Oil sign US methanol offtake deal
Tauber Oil will offtake all methanol produced by the Primus Green Energy plant -- utilizing low-cost Marcellus gas feedstock -- to market, sell and distribute into the regional market.
Saudi Aramco extends bid date for Ras Tanura clean fuels project
The Ras Tanura clean fuels project, which includes a naphtha hydrotreater, was to be part of a second phase of upgrades and was originally due to go on stream in 2016.
Newest US refinery cuts rates as market slumps
MDU Resources and Calumet, which jointly own the refinery, said on Wednesday the refinery is running at 75% capacity due to high operating costs and slipping demand for diesel.
US refiner HollyFrontier reports 91% drop in profit
Crack spreads, the difference between the prices of crude oil and refined products, have narrowed sharply due to a spike in distillate and gasoline inventories in the US.
Shell cuts spending further after BG deal, targets downstream moves
In a bid to slim down and raise cash, Shell is pressing ahead with a $30-billion asset disposal program by the end of 2018, targeting first and foremost its downstream division.
US gasoline stockpiles climb as refiners lift rates
Refinery crude runs rose 139,000 bpd as utilization rates rose by 1.6 percentage points. US East Coast refinery utilization rose to the highest level seasonally last week since at least 2010, the EIA said.
Colder winter could save US distillate fuel market
The good news for refiners and heating oil suppliers is that winter 2016/17 will almost certainly be colder, boosting demand in the months ahead.
Lower refining margins cut Valero’s profit in half
Refiners ramped up production in 2015, leading to higher inventories and weaker margins this year as demand softened during the mild winter.
US Gulf gasoline falls as Motiva restarts FCC unit
Traders and brokers noted that aside from planned or unplanned work, refiners are making fuels despite a sharp drop in margins from a year ago, when crude prices were higher.
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