Octane
Consider new online analyzers to optimize FCC operations
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and near infrared (NIR) process analyzers are highly effective in quantifying physical properties in hydrocarbons, especially where the feedstock, intermediate and final product streams are all interlinked.
HP Editorial Comment: Take a moment and breathe
“Don’t panic” is probably the best advice for the downstream industry regarding oil prices. The upstream fully recognizes the present and short-term conditions for its business.
HP Global: 2015 outlook for oil price and its refining sector implications
What is the oil price outlook for the next 12 months? As of early January, the price of Brent has effectively halved compared to the 2014 summer peak, similar to the price collapse of 2008. However, u..
HP News
Qatar Petroleum and Shell cancel $6.5-B petrochemical project in Qatar Royal Dutch Shell and Qatar Petroleum (QP) have canceled the $6.5-B Al-Karaana petrochemical project in Qatar, which will signifi..
HP Industry Metrics
Mid-January saw the continued decline of monthly average Brent crude oil prices, which fell $17/bbl from November to a monthly average of $62/bbl. The continual price decrease reflects US tight oil pr..
Shale gas drives new opportunities for US downstream
This shift to lighter feeds for the SC will reduce the future availability of other petrochemical feedstocks—in particular, propylene.
HP Industry Metrics
Recent declines in oil pricing and the associated volatility in future pricing has created a difficult forecasting environment. Other factors are causing deviations, especially with regard to the resp..
Replan: Modernizing Brazil’s largest crude oil refinery
The project included installing two hydrodesulfurization (HDS) units for the cracked naphtha produced by two catalytic cracking units, a coker naphtha hydrotreating (HDT) unit, and a catalytic reforming unit.
HP Industry Metrics
Oil prices continued their downward plunge throughout October and into early November. The decline is due to bearish market fundamentals accompanied by a strong US dollar. Saudi Arabia is not expected..
Optimize olefins and aromatics production
Petrochemical yields from the FCCU is an area of increasing interest as more companies try to integrate refining and petrochemical operations.

- Shell Aviation, Accenture, and Amex GBT expand Avelia into a multi-supplier SAF solution 7/16
- ORLEN and Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza sign MoU to accelerate biomethane production in Poland 7/16
- New plants, U.S. trade worries to drive China's 2025 naphtha imports to record 7/16
- Blue Water significantly reduces CO2 emissions by switching to HVO in port operations 7/16
- Swire Shipping launches new carbon insetting program – ‘Voyage to Zero’ 7/16
- China's surplus crude oil surges in June, giving refiners options 7/16