Crude oil
US says Keystone XL environmental review fails to reach firm conclusions
In one possible favorable sign for project supporters, the draft assessment said that building the pipeline would not "significantly" impact the further development of Canada's tar sands or US demands for heavy oil. The Obama administration likely will not make a final decision on the pipeline until this summer.
Monitor and minimize corrosion in high-TAN crude processing
In addition to inhibitor dosing, intensive corrosion monitoring and analytical tests play a major role in equipment and piping health monitoring and in analyzing stream properties online.
HP Boxscore Construction Analysis: Saudi Arabia’s plan for near-zero-sulfur fuels
To comply with mandatory sulfur specifications for gasoline and diesel from 2013 to 2016, Saudi Arabia is spending billions of dollars to construct multiple clean-fuel projects.
HP Viewpoint: Refiners have a new learning curve with shale oil
We’ve all heard the news reports: “Shale resource developments have the potential to make the US energy independent for the first time since 1952.” The long-term impact of shale resourc..
HP Brief: Brief
Galveston Bay refineryMarathon Petroleum has closed its transaction with BP to purchase several assets, including the 451,000-bpd refinery located in Texas City, Texas. The refinery will be renamed an..
HP Industry Perspectives: EU leans forward on clean-fuel strategies
In late January 2013, the European Commission (EC) announced ambitious measures to ensure the buildup and standardization of alternative fueling stations across Europe. Much of the earlier EC policy i..
TransCanada expects Keystone XL approval soon
TransCanada, which has been waiting for White House approval for the 830,000 bpd pipeline expansion for years, expects to receive the necessary permit "by the first half of 2013," according to Paul Miller, a senior vice president in charge of oil pipelines. He spoke on the sidelines of a Houston conference.
Sunoco Logistics cleaning East Texas pipeline spill
The cause of the spill is being investigated. The oil leaked out of the pipeline Saturday into Otter Creek in Tyler County, Sunoco Logistics said. The oil did not reach the Neches River, which is connected to the creek, according to Tyler County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Freeeman.
ConocoPhillips looks to reduce stakes in Australian LNG, Canadian oil sands
ConocoPhillips already announced plans to shed billions of dollars in assets to focus on core areas of its portfolio, particularly in unconventional formations in the US. The company plans to "rebalance" its portfolio over time and "lighten up" on these high costs projects in order to keep costs of supply low.
US demand for oil, products drops to historic lows
Demand for all major petroleum products was lower in 2012, led by a near 400,000-bpd decline in gasoline demand. Gasoline use fell 0.6% to an average of 8.703 million bpd, the weakest level in 11 years. Gasoline is the most widely used petroleum product in the world's biggest oil consumer.

- Brazil's Petrobras to invest $4.8 B in integration between Reduc refinery and Boaventura complex 7/8
- Braskem completes first sale of circular polyethylene in South America 7/8
- bp's 440,000-bpd refinery in Whiting, Indiana (U.S.), reported flaring due to operational conditions 7/8
- UK's insolvent Lindsey oil refinery secures some crude supply to keep running for now 7/8
- Brazil's energy minister hints at possible fuel price cuts 7/8
- Marathon Galveston Bay refinery (U.S.) hydrotreater to remain shut until September 7/8