Crude oil
Create an operator ownership culture to achieve continuous improvement in reliability—Part 1
Operators have a significant influence on a plant’s reliability. In spite of this, little attention is focused on improving operators’ capabilities or on developing an operator ownership cul..
HP Industry Metrics
Refinery utilization rates in the US, encouraged by the high driving season demand, continued to rise following the end of the heavy maintenance season. Regional demand in Asia continued lending suppo..
How to cost-effectively adapt to a tight oil world
The increase in domestic production of light tight oil (LTO) has resulted in rapid shifts to processing these crudes in North American (NA) refineries.
China’s ‘energy revolution’ strives for sustainable growth
China's energy demand, particularly for petroleum and other liquids, is rapidly increasing as its industrial and transportation infrastructures expand.
HP Industry Metrics
Up-to-dateata tables and figures illustrate the state of the worldwide HPI, including cracking spreads, margins and utilization rates.
Calumet Specialty opens new Mexico facility for base, transformer oils
Through its Mexico facility, Calumet will offer a wide range of products to customers in Mexico and Latin American markets. The initial product focus will include base oils, transformer oils, waxes, white mineral oils, petrolatum, and other specialty hydrocarbon fluids, such as solvents.
HP Project Management: Consider a modular approach to constructing condensate splitters
Although the 1975 ban on crude oil exports remains in place, US oil producers have found more opportunities in shipping condensate both domestically and internationally. This practice is possible due to condensate splitters, which provide a workaround solution by separating crude oil into lighter byproducts. Because these lightly refined byproducts can be exported, investment in new condensate splitter capacity has grown.
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..
Tesoro Refining upgrades crude rail car fleet to meet new US regulations
Tesoro worked with Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) beginning in February of last year to develop a rail car expected to meet or exceed forthcoming regulations. UTLX, which is manufacturing the cars and leasing them to Tesoro, has substantially completed the first group of enhanced cars.
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.

- Hydrocarbon Processing launches AI platform to accelerate decisions in the downstream sector 7/7
- Digital Feature: The critical interdependency of relief valve analysis and flare system considerations during HAZOP 7/7
- Trafigura to use Babcock's ammonia fuel supply system onboard gas carriers 7/7
- Lotte Chemical Titan secures $3-B ethylene supply deal in Indonesia 7/7
- Diesel East-West price spread nears 1.5-yr high amid supply concerns West, stable East 7/7
- U.S. Gulf Coast fuel oil imports at record low as refiners opt for heavier crude 7/7