Refining
US investigators blame Chevron over Richmond refinery fire
The investigators found Chevron didn't apply safer design principles at the California refinery and also didn't fix a corroded pipe that ruptured and caused a fire and vapor cloud. The August fire at the 245,000 bpd refinery near San Francisco burned for hours, sending thick, black smoke over the San Francisco Bay.
Fluor wins FEED work from BP, Shell for clean fuels project in South Africa
The project will enable a substantial upgrade of the SAPREF refinery, thereby improving the quality of transportation fuels by reducing levels of sulfur, benzene and aromatics and meeting enhanced legislative requirements. The deal allows for a possible EPCm contract to be signed at a later date.
French court rejects bids for Petroplus refinery
The court considered Libya's Murzuk Oil and Dubai-based NetOil as potential bidders after months of selection, but they didn't offer enough financial strength for a project that requires heavy investment. The court-appointed receiver will now seek a buyer for the plant's assets and dismantle it if none is found.
Shell mulls sale of downstream businesses in Italy
The potential sale is consistent with Shell’s strategy to concentrate its global downstream businesses where it can be most competitive, according to company officials. Recent examples include the sale of refineries in the UK and Germany and downstream businesses in Finland and Sweden.
Uganda seals deal to build refinery, export pipeline
The agreement to build a refinery with a capacity of just 30,000 bpd was reached following a meeting on Saturday between Mr. Museveni and representatives of the oil companies. It follows a warning from Total in February that failure to include an export pipeline in the plan would stall the development.
Plains to build Cactus crude pipeline in West Texas
Plains said the pipeline is expected to transport both sweet and sour crude oil from the Permian Basin to the Eagle Ford pipeline it operates as part of a joint venture with Enterprise Products. The Eagle Ford pipeline serves markets in Three Rivers, Texas, and Corpus Christi, Texas.
GE unveils new corrosion protection technology for refinery steam systems
The new technology is cost-effective, according to GE officials, and will provide corrosion protection of refinery boiler and steam-condensate systems while minimizing the potential for formation of corrosive amine salts in crude distillation units where utility steam is used in crude processing.
Technip wins engineering work on sulfur recovery project at Bahrain refinery
Technip's work includes the engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning as well as commissioning and start-up assistance. The project will ensure that the #3 unit is capable of safely burning sour water stripper off gas and becomes a viable spare for the new #4 sulfur recovery unit.
Suncor picks KBR to maintain Edmonton refinery
KBR will assist with turnaround planning review, maintenance, pipe fabrication and long-term execution plans for the Suncor Edmonton refinery. Financial terms of the three-year agreement were not disclosed.
Emerson to supply control valves to Technip for Algiers refinery upgrade
The Algiers refinery, located 10 km south of Algiers, in Algeria, is being revamped to increase crude oil processing capacity and ensure it can produce gasoline at specifications similar to those used throughout Europe. Emerson will supply about 600 of its Fisher control valves and regulators.
- 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
