Asia/Pacific
Overcoming the challenges of the ‘great crew change’
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is facing a daunting challenge in the near future: In the next five to seven years, approximately 50% of the workforce will retire in what many are calling the ‘great crew change.’ The next generation of engineers, operators, technicians and skilled workers must step up to continue the pursuit of technological innovations and industry growth.
HP Editorial Comment: Convergence of trends supports HPI opportunities
The downstream industry is halfway through 2015 and the second decade of the new millennium. Great changes have occurred over the past 12 months and five years. Change is not necessarily negative; in fact, it can be a welcome event.
HP News
UAE FCC catalyst manufacturing facility completes Phase 1W. R. Grace & Co. and JV partner Al Dahra Agriculture Co. marked the commissioning of a new catalyst logistics silo terminal (pictured) and the..
HP Industry Metrics
US refinery utilization rates have returned to summer operating levels. Crude oil pricing supports higher cracking margins for gasoline in US and European markets. Asian margins fell as increasing sup..
Toyo picks Intergraph solutions to help construct new Malaysia cracker
When completed, RAPID will consist of a 300,000-bpd refinery and petrochemical complex with a combined capacity of producing 7.7 million tpy of various grades of products, including differentiated and specialty chemicals products such as synthetic rubbers and high-grade polymers.
Oman to invest $7B on new Indonesia refining, petrochemicals complex
The refinery and petrochemical complex would be built in Indonesia's Riau province, with the oil products being purchased by state-owned Pertamina. Groundbreaking is expected to begin in 2016.
Mexichem opens new India pressure pipes plant
The location of the Hyderabad plant in South India allows Mexichem to position itself for exports to Southeast Asia, to serve customers in South India and to capture new business opportunities.
India’s Bharat Petroleum puts out hydrocracker fire at Numaligarh refinery
The refinery has been closed for about a month for routine maintenance, Numaligarh said, adding that the fire occurred during the startup of units.
China’s CNOOC begins exports of gasoline, diesel
China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) has received government approval to begin international exports of diesel and gasoline cargoes in early May.
Jacobs wins work on Huntsman’s polyetheramine expansion in Singapore
The Jurong Island facility expansion is expected to enable backward integration to produce polyethers from locally-sourced feedstocks, according to Huntsman officials.
- TotalEnergies extends its fuel price cap policy in France until the end of April 4/7
- Navigating the montan wax challenge with renewable alternatives for polymers 4/7
- AFR selects Axens as technology provider for Texas (U.S.) refinery 4/7
- Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, IRGC says 4/7
- Iran's Marvdasht Petrochemical complex attacked by US and Israel 4/7
- Fluor awarded engineering and design contract for America First Refining's refinery in South Texas 4/7

