Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Asia/Pacific

HP Integration Strategies: US biodiesel industry regains momentum

ARC Advisory Group: Miller, Paul

According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) trade organization, the US biodiesel industry produced more than one billion gallons (B gal) of biodiesel fuel in 2011, surpassing the 800 million gallo..

HP Viewpoint: Interview with UOP

UOP, A Honeywell Co.: Gautam, R.

Hydrocarbon Processing had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Rajeev Gautam, president and CEO of UOP, A Honeywell Co., and discuss several high-level factors impacting the global hydrocarbon processing..

HP Automation Safety: It’s all about the safety PLC—not!

exida LLC: Goble, W.

Focus on the big safety improvements and the real problems. This fundamental concept applies to many tasks in addition to functional safety.

HP Impact: Russia’s interest in accessing the Asian gas market

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

A recent briefing paper from Chatham House thoroughly examines natural gas security issues in northeast Asia. The authors assert that northeast Asia will become a major market for gas in the coming de..

Improve the performance of your existing steam system

Merrick & Co.: Pelham, R. O.

This discussion tracks a material flow through the steam system, starting with feed and continuing with steam generation, steam uses and, finally, condensate recovery.

KBC licenses process simulation models to Japan refiner TonenGeneral

Under the contract KBC will provide a five-year licence for Petro-SIM, selected SIM models and software services to TonenGeneral. The deal will include initial software implementation services.

UOP licenses butane feedstock technology in China

Honeywell's UOP C4 Oleflex process will be used to convert refinery-derived isobutane to isobutylene, a valuable petrochemical used in the production of fuels and synthetic rubber. This is UOP's second C4 Oleflex process license in China. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Japan boosts imports of Russian LNG, crude oil

Japan's imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia rose 17% to 8.3 million metric tons last year, while its imports of Russian crude oil increased 10% to 10.02 million kiloliters, or about 172,000 bpd. Japan also imported 8.12 million tons of thermal coal from Russia in 2012, up 8.1% from 2011.

South Korean refining margins projected to remain strong through March

Refining companies are likely to keep run rates high, until maintenance season in March, to take advantage of the better margins, and this will support export volumes. Margins are now supported by strong demand for middle distillates, especially kerosene, due to winter demand in North Asia.

BP names new head of safety, operational risk

Bob Fryar, who is executive vice president for production in BP's upstream business, will take up his new position from Feb. 15. The role includes oversight for security. He will take over from Mark Bly, who has headed BP's safety functions since March 2008 and who plans to retire from BP in the summer.