Refining
SOCAR selects KBR venture to manage Baku refinery modernization
Total capacity will be increased from 6 MMtpy to 7.5 MMtpy, while the catalytic cracking unit will be raised from 2 MMtpy to 2.5 MMtpy. Euro 5 standards will be established for all refined products.
Hedge funds turn strongly bullish on oil markets
Signs of financial distress across much of the oil industry, coupled with data showing production outside OPEC falling, continued market chatter about an agreement among producers, and evidence of strong demand for gasoline, have allowed hedge funds to construct a more bullish narrative.
Nigeria aims to eliminate refined product imports within next 18 months
Nigeria's four refineries have never reached full production because of sabotage and poor maintenance, causing the country to rely on expensive imported fuel for most of its energy needs.
US regulators eye increase to truck fuel efficiency
The decision by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency to consider additional public comments through April 1 comes amid a sharp slump in US large truck sales that has sparked thousands of layoffs.
Phillips 66 reports emissions, plant repairs at Borger refinery in Texas
"The line going to Unit 34's SRU [sulfur recovery unit] incinerator is partially plugged with sulfur," Phillips 66 said in a filing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The company said that sections of that line will be heated in an effort to melt out the sulfur.
Petrobras confirms explosion at Texas refinery as worker suffers burns
The explosion caused extensive damage to a 35,000 bpd light cycle oil hydrotreater, also called a hydrogen desulfurization unit, which uses hydrogen to convert the oil into diesel and remove sulfur.
European refiners increasingly turn to light US oil
Many European refiners face the problem of not having run a US crude through their systems in living memory and, as such, are wary of doing so, even though the numbers might make economic sense.
Kuwait refines crude pricing strategy in battle for European customers
Large sales from Iraq's Kurdistan into Europe have added to the competition and now Kuwait -- a usually little-noticed seller in Europe -- is both increasing sales and making its crude more attractive.
Thai Oil starts up first linear alkyl benzene plant
The plant has production capacity of 100,000 tpy, and the Thai refiner plans to export half of the output to India and other Southeast Asian countries, the company's CFO said.
Low oil plays uneven role in global gasoline prices
All countries have access to the same oil prices on international markets, but retail gasoline prices vary wildly, largely because of the taxes and subsidies imposed on them.
- India's Reliance gets one-month US concession to buy Rosneft oil 12/24
- SOCAR signs deal to buy Gama Enerji gas plant in Turkey for $225 MM 12/24
- Japan's Eneos leads bids for Chevron’s Singapore oil refinery stake 12/24
- Larsen & Toubro awarded EPCC contract for BPCL's polyethylene plant 12/24
- Maire's Nextchem to acquire technology licensor and engineering company Ballestra 12/24
- bp agrees to sell a 65% shareholding in Castrol to Stonepeak at an enterprise value of $10 billion 12/24
