Natural Gas
Synergize FCCUs and hydrocracking processing units to maximize refining margins—Part 2
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.
EIA: Oil prices and refinery margins fell slightly in first quarter of 2025
During the first quarter (1Q) of 2025, crude oil prices generally decreased while U.S. refinery margins initially increased before decreasing in the final month of the quarter. In its quarterly update, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reviews petroleum markets price developments in 1Q, covering crude oil prices, refinery margins, biofuel compliance credit prices and natural gas plant liquids prices.
South Korea to implement smaller fuel tax cuts from May
Tax breaks will be extended until the end of June, with the rate adjusted to 10% for gasoline, from the current 15%, and that for diesel and liquefied petroleum gas butane to 15% from 23%.
China-U.S. trade war redrawing global LPG trading, outlook
The global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market is facing an upheaval as high tariffs on U.S. imports force Chinese buyers to swap American cargoes for alternatives from the Middle East, while U.S. shipments divert to Europe and elsewhere in Asia.
Axens completes site expansion to produce hydrogenation tail gas treatment catalysts in Saudi Arabia
The expansion of Axens Catalyst Arabia Limited comprises an additional capacity for Axens to manufacture tail gas treatment catalysts on site.
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.
Russia lacks infrastructure to replace U.S. LPG for China
Russia's exporters of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are unlikely to be able to provide enough LPG to make up for U.S. supplies disrupted by tariffs, traders said on Thursday, citing a lack of infrastructure.
Update: India's fuel demand hits 10-month high in March
India's fuel demand in March hit a 10-month high, rising 9.3% from the previous month to 20.91 MM tonnes (t).
Optimizing NGL treatment for sulfur and methanol reduction at Pembina NGL Corporation’s Redwater fractionation plant—Part 1
This article details a project that optimized sulfur treatment and methanol reduction at Pembina NGL's Redwater plant in Canada.
U.S. weighs funding cuts to four of seven hydrogen hubs
The U.S. Department of Energy is weighing funding cuts to four of seven hydrogen hubs that were selected under a $7 billion federal program.

- SIBUR develops new polyethylene grade for FMCG packaging 8/13
- L&T Energy GreenTech partners with Japan’s ITOCHU for 300,000-tpy green ammonia project 8/13
- VINCI wins major contract for innovative biofuels plant in Spain 8/13
- Orlen Unipetrol to shut ethylene unit at Litvinov plant for several days 8/13
- Dangote Refinery cuts fuel price before planned sales to local Nigerian market 8/13
- Chevron Phillips Chemical completes low-viscosity PAO expansion in Belgium 8/12