Refining
Implement best practices in enterprise-wide operations management
Several lessons learned were identified during the refinery project implementations.
Central America: A downstream outlook to 2020
Due to the growth in the region’s middle class, Latin America has seen tremendous petroleum products demand growth over the past decade.
Determine fouling margins in tubular heat exchanger design
Fouling, which is caused mainly by the deposition and accumulation of an undesired layer of solids on a heat transfer surface, is very common in tubular heat exchangers.
Create an operator ownership culture to achieve continuous improvement in reliability—Part 2
Operators have a significant influence on a plant’s reliability.
Improve refinery flexibility and responsiveness
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) has changed significantly with an abundance of available discounted crude oils, a rise in markets served beyond the traditional local or regional demands, and a renewed focus on being both competitive and profitable while complying with ever-changing regulations.
Bitumen partial and targeted upgrading: The next step
Alberta, Canada oil sands production is projected to reach 3.2 MMbpd by 2020 and to further increase by 2030, to about 5.2 MMbpd.
Proposed US water definition may alter future of HPI
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposed Rule 33 CFR Part 328, a regulation intended to redefine and clarify the reach of the EPA’s jurisdi..
HP Editorial Comment: Is the global refining sector growing toward overcapacity?
The global refining sector has been a bright spot for the oil and gas industry for nearly a year.
HP Reliability: Reader feedback: How one manager views Pareto’s 80/20 rule
In March, Hydrocarbon Processing obtained feedback on its February “Reliability” column.
HP Automation Strategies: New modular control architectures offer potential to increase end-user value
With few exceptions, control architecture in the process industries has changed little over the past 40 years.
- Eneos plans to shut Marifu CDU in mid-January for maintenance 12/26
- China's 2026 first batch fuel export quotas steady year on year 12/26
- Singapore fuel oil stockpiles rise to two-week high 12/26
- Asia refinery 2025–2026 maintenance/outages 12/26
- Serbia's NIS gets U.S. approval to negotiate sale of Russian stake 12/26
- India's Reliance gets one-month US concession to buy Rosneft oil 12/24

