Petrochemicals
How to cost-effectively adapt to a tight oil world
The increase in domestic production of light tight oil (LTO) has resulted in rapid shifts to processing these crudes in North American (NA) refineries.
European refiner revamps delayed coker to meet Euro 5 specifications
This case study chronicles how the European refiner Rompetrol Rafinare SA upgraded its Petromidia refinery in Navodari, Romania, includingthe revamping the delayed coker unit (DCU) to address existing operating problems.
China’s ‘energy revolution’ strives for sustainable growth
China's energy demand, particularly for petroleum and other liquids, is rapidly increasing as its industrial and transportation infrastructures expand.
Better risk-management methods ensure project success
Management of project risk is a challenge under normal times, and this crucial activity is exasperated in complex projects as a result of the shale gas revolution.
HP Editorial Comment: Courage amid challenge and change
Editorial commentary
HP Reliability: Trends from the 2015 AFPM Maintenance and Reliability Conference
Over the decades, there have been good and not-so-good trends presented at this event, and the 2015 maintenance and reliability conference was no exception.
HP Petrochemicals: Higher international sales boost 2015 earnings above forecast for many chemical leaders
Raw materials costs continue to stay low in the US thanks to the shale boom, but the global decline in oil markets has eroded selling prices for many of the nation’s domestic chemicals and plastics producers.
HP Viewpoint: Advice for the downstream: Keep the faith
Charles Drevna is a distinguished senior fellow of the Institue for Energy Research and the former president of AFPM. He was president of the trade association, formerly known as NPRA, from 2007 until May 2015.
HP News
Recent news events in the global HPI.
HP Industry Metrics
Up-to-dateata tables and figures illustrate the state of the worldwide HPI, including cracking spreads, margins and utilization rates.

- Brazil's Petrobras to invest $4.8 B in integration between Reduc refinery and Boaventura complex 7/8
- Braskem completes first sale of circular polyethylene in South America 7/8
- bp's 440,000-bpd refinery in Whiting, Indiana (U.S.), reported flaring due to operational conditions 7/8
- UK's insolvent Lindsey oil refinery secures some crude supply to keep running for now 7/8
- Brazil's energy minister hints at possible fuel price cuts 7/8
- Marathon Galveston Bay refinery (U.S.) hydrotreater to remain shut until September 7/8