Middle East
Pakistan-China to sign MoU on oil-to-chemicals complex in June
During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Beijing in June, China and Pakistan are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a crude-to-petrochemical refinery project.
Singapore middle distillate stocks tumble to nearly three-month low
Singapore's middle distillates stocks slid to a nearly three-month low this week, falling below 11 MMbbl for the first time in a month as gains in jet fuel/kerosene net exports offset declines in diesel/gasoil net exports.
China's CNCEC to build 300,000-bpd Al-Faw refinery in Iraq
China's National Chemical Engineering Company (CNCEC) has inked a deal with the Southern Refineries Company to build a 300,000-bpd refinery in Al-Faw, Iraq.
Ethylene downcycle puts nearly 25% of capacity at risk of closure
A series of unprecedented challenges to the global ethylene industry means that as much as 24% of global capacity is now under some threat of permanent closure according to new research by Wood Mackenzie.
GCC industry leaders solidify commitment toward plastic circularity
Arabian Gulf industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to adopting a collaborative approach to develop plastic circularity, invest in Design for Recycling (DfR) and address plastic waste at the 13th annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Plastics Conference.
ADNOC delivers first bulk shipment of CCS-enabled, low-carbon ammonia to Japan
ADNOC has delivered the world’s first certified bulk commercial shipment of low-carbon ammonia enabled by carbon capture and storage to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. for use in clean-power generation in Japan.
Weak Asia refining margins see swing to crude from the Americas
The profit from turning a barrel of crude oil into fuels in Asia is at the lowest in seven months, which is leading refiners to turn away from expensive Middle East grades and seek cheaper alternatives from the Americas.
Iran's Persian Gulf Mehr refinery scheduled for completion in early 2025
Phase 1 construction of Iran's Persian Gulf Mehr refinery is progressing, with project completion expected in early 2025.
Iran announces 15 petrochemical projects to expand domestic production to nearly 80 MMtpy
Morteza Shahmirzaei, head of the National Petrochemical Co. (NPC), in Iran, announced plans to launch 15 petrochemical projects that will increase the country's domestic production to nearly 80 MMtpy.
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.
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- Digital Feature: Enabling growth through strategic cost optimization for petrochemical and refining companies 12/16
- Rohm awards NextChem feasibility study for PMMA-polymer chemical recycling plant project 12/16
- Westlake to rationalize certain North American chlorovinyl and styrene assets 12/16
- Kumho Mitsui Chemicals to increase capacity of MDI production facilities 12/15
- ABS, Eneos, NYK Line and Seacor Holdings launch joint study to develop a methanol marine fuel supply network in the U.S. 12/15

