Aromatics
IMO 2020 stability and compatibility headaches
The year 2020 will be a mess from the fuel oil stability and compatibility points of view. The year will be price-driven, so the temptation to “cut corners” is great—meaning that a highly variable number of blend components to manufacture the fuel oil will open a “Pandora’s box” of complex and questionable fuel formulations.
Construction
Total plans to take a final investment decision (FID) on the Nigeria LNG expansion project by the end of this year. If greenlighted, the 7-MMtpy LNG train would increase the Bonny Island LNG terminal’s capacity to nearly 30 MMtpy. If built, Train 7 is expected to be operational by 2023.
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards Winners
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing,</i> the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the winners for its third annual awards. The <i>HP</i> Awards celebrate innovative technologies and people that have been instrumental in improving facility operations over the past year.
Diversifying the future: Incentives for worldwide adoption of renewable fuels and chemicals—Part 1
Bio-based, renewable fuels and chemicals can reduce the environmental footprint of maintaining global transportation and product demands, while also supplementing traditional fossil fuels in a global environment with increasing energy demand.
Business Trends: Crude-to-chemicals—An opportunity or threat?
For most oil refiners and chemical producers, the need to improve margins and remain competitive has never been greater.
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing,</i> the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the finalists for its third annual awards.
Construction
Sinochem Hongrun Petrochemical Co. Ltd. will use Honeywell UOP’s ionic liquids alkylation technology to produce high-octane, cleaner-burning transportation fuels.
Improve CCR reforming profitability using a novel high-density catalyst
Catalytic reforming has been a staple in petroleum refining since 1949.
Details on high-impact refining and petrochemical projects presently under construction, as chosen by HP editors and readers
The global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) continues to expand and modernize to efficiently meet growing demand for energy, transportation fuels and petrochemicals.
Viewpoint: The opportunity for greater growth and value—Considerations for crude-to-chemicals projects
Industry players are focused on upgrading to higher-growth, higher-value chemical products.

- Britain will not bail out bioethanol industry hit by Trump trade deal 8/15
- Russian energy facilities targeted recently in drone attacks 8/15
- Shell: Norco, Louisiana (U.S.) refinery gasoline unit work to start on Friday 8/15
- Sanctions-hit Indian refiner Nayara in talks with govt to sustain operations 8/15
- The API challenges Trump plan to cut biofuel import credits 8/15
- IAG selects record 29 startups for accelerator program 8/15