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Crude oil

Consider new online analyzers to optimize FCC operations

Modcon Systems Ltd.: Shahnovsky, G.  |  Cohen, T.  |  McMurray, R.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and near infrared (NIR) process analyzers are highly effective in quantifying physical properties in hydrocarbons, especially where the feedstock, intermediate and final product streams are all interlinked.

HP Editorial Comment: Take a moment and breathe

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

“Don’t panic” is probably the best advice for the downstream industry regarding oil prices. The upstream fully recognizes the present and short-term conditions for its business.

HP Global: 2015 outlook for oil price and its refining sector implications

Wood Mackenzie: Gelder, A.

What is the oil price outlook for the next 12 months? As of early January, the price of Brent has effectively halved compared to the 2014 summer peak, similar to the price collapse of 2008. However, u..

HP News

Qatar Petroleum and Shell cancel $6.5-B petrochemical project in Qatar Royal Dutch Shell and Qatar Petroleum (QP) have canceled the $6.5-B Al-Karaana petrochemical project in Qatar, which will signifi..

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Mid-January saw the continued decline of monthly average Brent crude oil prices, which fell $17/bbl from November to a monthly average of $62/bbl. The continual price decrease reflects US tight oil pr..

Chemicals group Huntsman sees better business from lower oil prices

"In an environment where oil prices are sustainably low, Huntsman will emphatically be a beneficiary over the long term," the CEO said. "Many of our raw materials are derived from the oil refining process."

Maximize LPG recovery from fuel gas using a dividing wall column

GTC Technology US, LLC: Gentry, J. C.  |  Bhargava, M.  |  Nelson, C.  |  Siddamshetti, V.

Refiners are challenged to recover LPG from mixed fuel gas streams due to the difficulty of separating the lighter components from bulk gas. To maintain profitability, it is essential to direct all of the crude oil components to the optimum disposition. This practice is becoming more significant due to increasing LPG demand in some countries and the supply of lighter crudes in countries such as the US.

Shale gas drives new opportunities for US downstream

Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology: Maller, A.  |  Dharia, D.  |  Gbordzoe, E.
Axens: Lambert, N.

This shift to lighter feeds for the SC will reduce the future availability of other petrochemical feedstocks—in particular, propylene.

HP Editorial Comment: Alternative energy?

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

Alternative energy is a point-of-reference term. Natural gas is an alternative energy resource for transportation fuels. As more natural gas resources are developed, natural gas is displacing coal as ..

HP Industry Perspectives: Keystone XL: It is time to move forward, Mr. President

In a media call, the American Petroleum Institute (API) president and CEO Jack Gerard emphasized that it is time for the Keystone XL pipeline to move forward, and he requested urgent action by Preside..