Refining
LyondellBasell Houston coker restart expected by mid-June
A string of unit outages and accidents at the refinery has forced production down to 85 Mbpd.
AFPM: Safety awards honor industry achievements
Organization stresses the importance of recognizing the members’ work and safety achievements, and the awards highlight positive and proactive efforts and shine a spotlight on effective safety practices.
New Indonesian refinery to have up to 480-Mbpd capacity
A new refinery in Indonesia that Russia's Rosneft may help build will have a capacity of up to 480 Mbpd.
French union calls for widespread shutdown of refineries by workers
The vote, aimed at pressuring the socialist government of President Francoise Hollande to withdraw a labor reform bill which the unions consider as unfavorable to workers, could stoke concerns over refined products supply in France.
Global oversupply of polyethylene, polypropylene challenges margins
The excess capacity will help North American converters be more competitive due to the increased competition associated with PE capacity expansions. However, on the producer side, economics will be challenged as global capacity expansions exceed demand growth.
EPA’s biofuel plan frustrates US refiners, farmers
The increase did not go far enough for the farm lobby and biofuels companies like Poet LLC, which have spent millions to produce advanced biofuels. Meanwhile, oil industry advocates, who have criticized previous targets as unrealistic, renewed calls for an overhaul of the program.
Argentina’s refiners buy Nigerian crude as second foreign cargo of 2016
Because of quality issues -- Argentina has a surplus of heavy crude that is regularly exported, but it does not produce enough light grades -- refining companies plan to import at least 3 MMbbl of crude.
US EPA proposes modest increase in 2017 biofuels blending targets
Releasing the blending targets ahead of 2017 is part of the US EPA's efforts to get the controversial policy program for domestic refiners back on track after many years of delays.
India sees road building as route to boost fuels
Past experience from the US and other advanced economies suggests massive highway construction will promote the creation of a more integrated national economy and increase freight and passenger traffic further. That will spur further rapid growth in transport fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
US gasoline, distillate inventories drop as refiners raise operating rates
Gasoline stocks fell 2.5 MMbbl, compared to forecasts for a 150,000-bbl drop. Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, fell 3.2 MMbbl, versus expectations for a 642,000-bbl drop.
- Transitional Industries and CFEnergia sign feedstock supply contract for $3.3-B Pacifico Mexinol project 2/17
- Neste and World Fuel Services extend partnership, expanding SAF availability at more than 100 airports in Europe 2/17
- U.S. refined product exports by tanker increase to > 6.3 MMbpd in January 2/17
- Japan's oil and gas independence climbs to highest since 2009 2/17
- Dangote signs $400-MM equipment deal with China's XCMG to speed up refinery expansion 2/17
- Former Lukoil-owned ISAB refinery in Sicily exits crisis procedure 2/17
