U.S.
Verdant Specialty Solutions completes acquisition of Lubrizol’s Elmendorf, Texas (U.S.) manufacturing and R&D assets
The Elmendorf acquisition significantly strengthens Verdant’s position in the oil and gas production chemicals market, expanding its technology offering with the addition of H₂S scavengers, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, and other specialty oilfield chemicals.
Valero to keep importing gasoline after Benicia (U.S.) refinery closure
The San Antonio, Texas-based refiner said last year it would shut the 145,000-bpd San Francisco-area refinery by April 2026 amid concerns about California's declining fuel supplies and high gasoline prices.
Chinese refiners expected to replace Venezuelan oil with Iranian crude
Caracas and Washington agreed to export up to $2 B worth of Venezuelan crude to the United States, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.
Hungary's Orban says U.S. intervention in Venezuela good for energy markets
U.S. President Donald Trump, Orban's ally, who has exempted Hungary from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy for the 2026 Hungarian election year, has made clear that he wants to share in Venezuela's oil riches.
Opinion: U.S. oil refiners win, Chinese rivals lose in Trump’s Venezuela strike
Speaking on Saturday after announcing Maduro’s arrest on Truth Social, Trump said he would maintain the U.S. embargo on exports of sanctioned Venezuelan crude oil for now, but also stated that the U.S. would run Venezuela "for a period of time," suggesting U.S. restrictions could be lifted very soon.
Beaumont New Ammonia reaches key milestone with ammonia production
OCI Global has announced that the Beaumont New Ammonia (BNA) facility in Beaumont, Texas has started production of ammonia.
Trump administration (U.S.) sets meetings with oil companies over Venezuela
The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from U.S. oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after U.S. forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Residual fuel fills Venezuela's storage tanks as exports cut to minimum
Most ships bound for Venezuelan ports for December and early January cargo deliveries have made U-turns, as the blockade spooks even vessels not under sanctions.
- Phillips 66 greenlights new gas plant and fractionator projects, advancing integrated wellhead-to-market strategy 5/18
- OXEA and Air Liquide renew syngas and hydrogen supply agreement for Oberhausen site 5/18
- U.S. oil refiners finally profit from biofuels due to mandates, high fuel prices 5/18
- China's April oil throughput hits lowest since August 2022, inventories rise 5/18
- Vietnam receives first cargo of Congo Djeno crude for Nghi Son refinery 5/18
- Mexico's Pemex says brief fire at Olmeca refinery controlled, operations normal 5/18

