Economics
Brazilian sugarcane processors mulling switch to more ethanol production
Some sugarcane processors in Brazil are closely following the price gap between sugar and ethanol and could start making more of the biofuel if sugar prices continue to fall and oil prices continue their recovery from recent lows.
Fuji Oil cancels Japanese biofuels plant due to high construction costs
Fuji Oil has decided to cancel plans to build a biofuels manufacturing plant at the Sodegaura refinery in Chiba, Japan, due to higher-than-expected construction costs.
Insight: Lifting U.S. sanctions on Iran could crush China’s 'teapot' oil refineries
The possible lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil exports could deal a fatal blow to independent Chinese refineries that have thrived by processing Tehran’s discounted crude, while also putting further downward pressure on oil prices.
hte, Mitsubishi Chemical partner to screen MMA oxidation catalysts
hte signed a contract with Mitsubishi Chemical to provide research services for the screening of MMA oxidation catalysts. The research project included an accelerated aging study, with the aim to qualify a catalyst with extended lifetime properties for the commercial operations.
U.S. EPA to rule on backlog of small refinery biofuel exemption requests
There are 161 applications for exemptions from the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard pending. The EPA's decision will have significant implications for the multi-billion-dollar credit market that underpins the biofuel program.
UAE to up value of U.S. energy investments to $440 B by 2035
The United Arab Emirates plans to raise its energy investments in the United States to $440 B in the next decade, it said on Friday, boosting U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to secure major business deals on a Gulf tour.
Phillips 66 announces agreement to divest majority interest in Germany and Austria retail marketing business
Phillips 66 announced that its subsidiary, Phillips 66 Continental Holding GmbH, has entered into a definitive agreement to divest a 65 percent interest in its Germany and Austria retail marketing business, including JET-branded sites, to a consortium owned by subsidiaries of investment firms Energy Equation Partners and Stonepeak.
Asia's refined fuel imports drop, but margins still hold
Asia's imports of key refined fuels such as gasoline and diesel fell to the lowest in four years in April, driven by a combination of refinery maintenance and weaker demand in the top-importing region.
U.S. imposes sanctions on companies it says sent Iranian oil to China
The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on more than 20 companies in a network that it said has long sent Iranian oil to China, days after negotiators from Iran and the United States concluded a fourth round of nuclear talks.

- Britain will not bail out bioethanol industry hit by Trump trade deal 8/15
- Russian energy facilities targeted recently in drone attacks 8/15
- Shell: Norco, Louisiana (U.S.) refinery gasoline unit work to start on Friday 8/15
- Sanctions-hit Indian refiner Nayara in talks with govt to sustain operations 8/15
- The API challenges Trump plan to cut biofuel import credits 8/15
- IAG selects record 29 startups for accelerator program 8/15