Refining
Kuwait commences merger of state oil firms KNPC and KIPIC
Kuwait has begun taking executive steps to merge two of its state-owned oil firms, news agency Kuna reported on Tuesday, as the OPEC producer seeks to restructure its energy industry.
Russia well prepared for refinery maintenances with high fuel stockpiles
Russia has ample motor fuel inventories to offset possible shortages during refinery maintenances.
Japan's Fuji Oil restarts 143,000-bpd Sodegaura CDU after fire
Japanese refiner Fuji Oil has restarted the 143,000-bpd crude distillation unit (CDU) at its Sodegaura refinery.
Japan's Eneos restarts 129,000-bpd Chiba CDU after maintenance
Japan's biggest refiner, Eneos Corp., restarted the 129,000-bpd crude distillation unit (CDU) at its Chiba refinery near Tokyo on April 7, following scheduled maintenance.
Declining prices enable Brazil to raise biodiesel blend to 15%
Declining vegetable oil prices are clearing the way for Brazil to increase its mandatory biodiesel blend into diesel to 15%, up from 14%.
Nigeria plans petroleum products stockpile to counter global supply shocks
Nigeria plans to establish a national strategic petroleum products stockpile this year to safeguard its economy against disruptions in the international market.
UN shipping agency strikes deal on fuel emissions, CO2 fees
Countries at the U.N. shipping agency struck a deal on a global fuel emissions standard for the maritime sector that will impose an emissions fee on ships that breach it and reward vessels burning cleaner fuels.
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.
Valero Mexico suspended from the country's import registry for motor fuels
Valero Mexico said that it was notified by the country's tax authority that it had been "momentarily" suspended from the registry of importers for motor fuels but that it was cooperating with an investigation.
Digital Exclusive: Ten ways AI is expediting construction projects in the processing industry
Like most construction megaprojects, processing projects have scaled up in complexity while offsetting that complexity using tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), building information modeling (BIM) and project management software. The bad news for the processing industries is that complexity has been outpacing the implementation of productivity tools—however, this may be about to change.

- U.S. firms to develop Syria energy masterplan after Trump lifts sanctions 7/18
- Russian seaborne diesel exports for July 1–15 fall 6% month-on-month 7/18
- INEOS invests £30 MM to slash emissions at Hull site by 75% 7/18
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group invests in Licella Holdings, oil conversion technology using supercritical water 7/18
- BASF and Equinor sign 10-yr natural gas supply agreement 7/18
- Oil prices rise after new EU sanctions on Russia 7/18