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Business Trends: Global petrochemical overview—Part 2

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Part 1 of this series provided an overview on the present state of the petrochemical industry, a breakdown on construction project numbers by region, as well as major trends in Africa, the Middle East and the US. Part 2 examines the landscape in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Global Project Data

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database, nearly 300 new downstream projects have been announced around the globe over the past year.

Iran secures two more European refiners as customers for its oil

Both refiners bought Iran's oil before sanctions against the country's nuclear program effectively halted its shipments to Europe, which had accounted for more than a third of its exports.

Refining’s silver lining fades at Exxon, Chevron

Growing fuel inventories and weak demand are now hammering the refining industry, turning a typical advantage for integrated oil companies on its head.

Total beats profit forecasts on strong performance in refining, chemicals

Total said in its downstream segment, although refining margins were down compared with 2015, the business had held up well and remained strong at the beginning of the second quarter.

Bulgaria continues raids in fuel pricing probe

Bulgarians complain of high fuel costs despite a plunge in global oil prices and a call by Prime Minister Boiko Borisov for the competition authority to speed up its market investigation.

WR Grace to acquire global polyolefin catalyts business from BASF

BASF’s polyolefin catalysts business includes its LYNX high-activity PE catalyst technologies that are utilized commercially in slurry processes for the production of high-density PE resins.

Uganda says Tanzania offers to buy stake in planned new refinery

Uganda has been discussing plans for a refinery for about seven years. It would process some oil from fields it is developing, although most crude would be exported.

Nigeria seeks partners to revive ailing refineries

Africa's top oil producer has been trying to restart its refineries, which hardly produce any petrol due to decades of mismanagement and widespread graft.

Nigeria’s NNPC fights for more crude cargoes to exchange for gasoline

The dispute has delayed some of the country's monthly oil export programs and added to confusion over just how much crude Nigeria has at its disposal to exchange for gasoline.