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Naphtha

China doubles 2025 naphtha import quotas

China has issued a second batch of 2025 naphtha import quotas, nearly doubling last year's allocations, as demand rises due to disruptions in U.S. supplies of cheaper alternatives propane and ethane as well as new cracker startups.

Aster Chemicals to increase Singapore refining capacity after acquiring splitter stake

Aster Chemicals and Energy intends to increase its crude processing capacity at its refining site in Singapore to more than 300,000 bpd, after buying a stake of more than 50% in a condensate splitter unit.

Algeria launches $7-B investment plan to expand hydrocarbon processing

Algeria has allocated a $7-B investment portfolio for major industrial projects aimed at increasing the conversion rate of hydrocarbons into higher value-added products from 32% to 50% in the next 5 yr.

GreenSinnergy, Axens sign MoU to advance SAF projects in Argentina and Latin America

GreenSinnergy GmbH, a company specialized in green project developments, and Axens, a global provider of technologies and services for the production of cleaner fuels, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects in Argentina and across Latin America.

USA BioEnergy secures long-term feedstock supply for $2.8-B SAF refinery in Texas (U.S.)

USA BioEnergy (USABE) has signed a letter of intent with LP Building Solutions (LP) outlining the parties’ plans to enter a long-term supply agreement for sustainably sourced wood fiber to support operations at USAB’s planned Texas Renewable Fuels (TRF) biorefinery in Bon Wier, Texas. The advanced biorefinery will require raw wood feedstocks for the production of renewable fuel. Once finalized, the agreement would provide for up to 2.2 MMtpy of woody biomass for an initial term of 20 yr.

Lotte Chemical Titan signs contract to buy naphtha from Aramco Trading Singapore

Malaysia's Lotte Chemical Titan has signed a three-year contract to buy naphtha from Aramco Trading Singapore starting in July 2025 and running to June 2028, the company said.

Lotte Chemical Indonesia agrees 10-year ethylene supply deal with Asahimas Chemical

Lotte Chemical Corp's $3.9-B large-scale petrochemical plant in Indonesia has signed a 10-year ethylene supply contract with PT Asahimas Chemical.

Synergize FCCUs and hydrocracking processing units to maximize refining margins—Part 2

Petrobras: Da Silva, M. W.

Part 1 of this article appeared in the February issue. Part 2 here will explore the role of FCC and hydrocracking in crude-to-chemicals and the challenge of cracked feeds, among other topics. 

Russia ramps up oil products supplies to Indonesia

Russia is ramping up shipments of oil products to Indonesia as Moscow seeks to expand new markets for its exports in the wake of Western sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's Novatek plans condensate processing complex in Murmansk

Russian energy company Novatek plans to build a complex in Murmansk to process and ship stable gas condensate.