Economics
Russia gained newer diesel trade partners in 2023
In 2023, Brazil and Saudi Arabia replaced France and Germany as the countries with the second- and third-most seaborne diesel imports from Russia after sanctions related to Russia’s petroleum product trade went into effect in February 2023.
NOVA Chemicals launches Canadian Center of Excellence for Plastics Circularity
NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced the launch of its Center of Excellence for Plastics Circularity, a hub for knowledge exchange and technology development for the circular economy of plastics.
U.S. renewable diesel glut hits refiners' margins
A rush by U.S. fuel makers to recalibrate their plants to produce renewable diesel has created a supply glut for low-emissions biofuels, hammering profit margins for refiners and threatening to impede a young industry.
Kuwait Petroleum renews oil supply deal to Unipec
Kuwait Petroleum Corp has renewed its contract to supply 300,000 bpd of crude oil to China's Unipec, the trading arm of Asia's largest refiner Sinopec, until 2033.
Vertex Energy pauses renewable diesel output to switch back to fossil fuels, citing macroeconomic woes
U.S. refiner Vertex Energy will pause renewable diesel production at its refinery in Mobile, Alabama, and convert it to produce fossil fuels instead, citing macroeconomic woes which might persist through next year.
Citgo Petroleum reports Q1 profit of $410 MM
Oil refiner Citgo Petroleum reported its first quarter net fell 56% to $410 MM, from $937 MM in the same period a year ago.
Russia's refined oil product exports to Singapore to hit highest this year in May
Russia's exports of naphtha to Singapore are on track to rise to their highest level this year in May as Russian refineries recover from drone attacks, with the trend poised to continue as more capacity comes online.
Diesel profit margins decline amid lower demand, more capacity
Profit margins for diesel are slumping as new refineries boost supplies and as mild weather in the northern hemisphere and slow economic activity eat into demand, putting oil prices under further downward pressure.
New $1.5-B natural gas pipeline to provide feedstock to Dow's petrochemicals plant and other industrial facilities
Canadian utilities CU.TO said is developing a $1.5-B natural gas pipeline project in Alberta to transport natural gas to Dow's petrochemicals plant and other industrial facilities.
Seasonal U.S. fuel demand hits pandemic lows, weighs on refining margins
U.S. gasoline and diesel demand are at their weakest seasonal level since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Wednesday, pushing refiners' margins to multi-month lows.
- Phillips 66 greenlights new gas plant and fractionator projects, advancing integrated wellhead-to-market strategy 5/18
- OXEA and Air Liquide renew syngas and hydrogen supply agreement for Oberhausen site 5/18
- BASF boosts refinery catalyst innovation with new R&D center in Attapulgus, Georgia (U.S.) 5/18
- Aster and Puraglobe sign MoU to bring world-leading re-refining technology to Asia 5/18
- U.S. oil refiners finally profit from biofuels due to mandates, high fuel prices 5/18
- China's April oil throughput hits lowest since August 2022, inventories rise 5/18

