Refining, Petrochemicals, Gas Processing, Biofuels

Braskem and SCG Chemicals Join Forces to Advance in the Bio-based Ethylene Project in Thailand

Braskem, the leading global biopolymer producer, and SCG Chemicals, a leading petrochemical company in Thailand and Southeast Asia, have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to create Braskem Siam Company Limited. Subject to clearance from the relevant anti-trust authorities and final investment decision by the partners, this joint venture aims to produce bio-ethylene from bio-ethanol dehydration and to commercialize I'm green TM bio-based polyethylene (PE), using the EtE EverG reen TM technology. The technology results from the partnership agreement between Lummus Technology LLC and Braskem B.V. to develop and license this technology.

Award of Packages 1 & 4 for a Petrochemical Expansion at the SATORP Refinery in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (“HDEC”) has been awarded contracts for two EPC packages related to a petrochemical expansion at the SATORP refinery in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Package 1 (Mixed Feed Cracker and Refinery Off Gases) involves installing a Mixed Feed Cracker (MFC) to produce an additional 1,650 KTA (kilo tons per annum) of ethylene and related industrial gases. Package 4 (Utilities, Flares & Interconnecting) relates to installation of facilities that supply utilities such as electricity and water to plants, and functions as interconnecting systems that support main packages within the facilities.

Fluor Awarded Front-End Engineering and Design Contract for LanzaTech Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility

Fluor Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a contract by LanzaTech UK Limited to provide front-end engineering and design (FEED) services for one of the United Kingdom’s (UK) first planned commercial sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities in Port Talbot, Wales. Fluor recognized the award in the second quarter of 2023.

INEOS and SINOPEC Complete Major Petrochemicals Deal in China

INEOS has today completed the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with SINOPEC for the Tianjin Nangang Ethylene Project, announced in December 2022, which is currently under construction by SINOPEC and expected to be on-stream by April 2024.

McDermott Selected for Petrochemical Expansion Project by IOCL

McDermott has been awarded a project management consultancy (PMC) and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Naphtha Cracker Expansion (Phase II) polypropylene expansion and new ethylene derivative unit project from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). The project is located at the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, located 62 miles (100 kilometers) from New Delhi, India.

ADNOC Makes Statement on Possible Merger of Borouge and Borealis

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) P.J.S.C. (“ADNOC”) is excited to confirm that, following initial exploratory discussions, it has entered into formal negotiations with OMV AG (“OMV”), about the potential creation of a new combined petrochemicals holding entity, through the proposed merger of their respective existing shareholdings in Borouge plc (“Borouge”) and Borealis AG (“Borealis”).

bp Expands Investment in Bioenergy, Collaborating with US Biofuels Developer WasteFuel

bp invests $10 million in WasteFuel, which is planning to develop a global network of plants to convert municipal and agricultural waste into bio-methanol, a biofuel which could play a significant role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like shipping.

Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies sign deals to build $11bn Amiral petrochemicals complex

Saudi Aramco and France's TotalEnergies have awarded contracts to build the $11 billion Amiral petrochemicals complex in the city of Jubail in the kingdom's Eastern Province. The awarding of the engineering, procurement and construction contracts for main processing units and associated utilities marks the start of construction work on the major project, following the final investment decision made in December 2022, the companies said on Saturday.

A brighter horizon for sustainable aviation fuel: Sasol and Topsoe to form a future business to accelerate global SAF production

Sasol, the global chemicals and energy company, and Topsoe, a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, have signed a landmark agreement to establish a 50/50 joint venture (subject to approval by relevant authorities), solidifying their commitment to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.

BASF breaks ground on polyethylene plant at Zhanjiang Verbund site in China

BASF has broken ground on a polyethylene (PE) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The new plant with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons of PE annually will serve the fast-growing demand in China. The plant is scheduled to start up in 2025.

Petrofac confirms signing of US$1.5 billion EPC contract in Algeria

urther to the announcement of 18 May 2023, Petrofac today confirms it has entered into a definitive agreement with STEP Polymers SPA (‘STEP’, a 100% subsidiary of Sonatrach) for the design and build of its petrochemical complex in the Arzew Industrial Zone in Algeria.

A Consortium led by Tecnimont Awarded a USD 300 Million EPC Contract for a Fertilizer Plant in Egypt by KIMA

MAIRE S.p.A. announces that a consortium composed by its Integrated E&C Solutions (IE&CS) subsidiary Tecnimont S.p.A and Orascom Construction S.A.E. has been awarded a Lump Sum Turn-Key Engineering Procurement and Construction contract for a Nitric Acid and Ammonium Nitrate plant by KIMA, Egyptian Chemical Industries Company.

Kent Awarded Three-Year Multi-Site Master Services Agreement with TotalEnergies

Kent, a leading engineering services provider in the oil and gas, low carbon energy and chemicals sectors, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a three-year Master Services Agreement (MSA) with TotalEnergies for engineering services in the United States.

TotalEnergies Steps up Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production at Grandpuits

Ahead of the Paris Air Show held in Le Bourget, TotalEnergies is stepping up production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and low carbon energies of its Grandpuits site.

Saunders Secures $42 Million Contract for bp Kwinana Renewable Fuels Project

Saunders International Limited ( is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $42 million contract to provide tank refurbishment and modification services for bp at its Kwinana energy hub, in Perth, Western Australia.

LyondellBasell Announces Delay in Refining Business Exit

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) today announced plans to delay its refining business exit from year-end 2023 to no later than the end of the first quarter 2025. Favorable inspections and consistent performance have given the company confidence to continue safe and reliable operations at the Houston site. LyondellBasell anticipates moderate maintenance spend to support this extension in 2023 and 2024 but remains committed to ceasing operation of its oil refining business. The extension will minimize workforce impacts as the company continues to develop future options for the site and will enable a smoother transition between the shutdown and the implementation of the retrofitting and circular projects.

Cushing chosen as new site for Southern Rock Energy Partners Refinery

Southern Rock Energy Partners, LLC (SREP) is developing a 250,000 BPD next-generation, full conversion crude refinery in Oklahoma. The refinery complex will reduce and eliminate 95% of greenhouse gas emissions while producing approximately 91.25 million barrels or 3.8325 billion gallons annually of cleaner transportation fuels including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from crudes sourced domestically from the Anadarko, Permian, Denver and Julesburg, and Bakken Basins. The project will be constructed over a 36-month period beginning in 2024 with commercial operations beginning in 2027.

Delta Biofuel Announces $100 Million Final Investment Decision for Renewable Fuel Facility in Jeanerette

Delta Biofuel has announced a $100 million final investment decision for the construction and start up of a full-scale renewable fuel production facility in Iberia Parish that will convert sugarcane waste into feedstock for low-emissions energy generation.

McDermott Awarded PMC Contract From IOCL

McDermott has been awarded a project management consultancy (PMC) contract from India Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the Maleic Anhydride (MAH) unit at the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, located 62 miles (100 kilometers) from New Delhi, India.

Nigeria Commissions the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery in an Effort to Cease Fuel Imports to the Country

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari performed a commissioning ceremony on Monday to formally announce that the 650,000 barrel per day Dangote refinery had officially begun, with crude refining anticipated for a June startup. The country hopes that this will bring about fuel independence, but securing crude supplies for the project could prove to be difficult.

Petrofac led JV selected for US$1.5 billion EPC project in Algeria

Petrofac, leading a joint venture with petrochemical industry specialist, China Huanqiu Contracting & Engineering Corporation (HQC), has received notification of a conditional award by STEP Polymers SPA (100% Sonatrach subsidiary) to execute a significant petrochemical project in Algeria. The total contract value is approximately US$1.5 billion, with Petrofac’s share valued at over US$1 billion.

Sichuan Jinshang Environmental Protection Technology Co. To Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel Utilizing Honeywell Ecofining Technology

Honeywell today announced that Sichuan Jinshang Environmental Protection Technology Co. (JSRE) will use Honeywell EcofiningTM technology to produce nearly 300,000 tons per year (approximately 6,000 barrels per day) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its newly planned facility in Suining, Sichuan Province, China. This project will promote the accelerated adoption of SAF, and, once completed, the facility is expected to be one of the largest SAF plants in China.

Summit Agricultural Group Announces the Creation of Summit Next Gen to Develop the World's Largest Ethanol to Jet Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility

Today, Summit Agricultural Group announces the creation of Summit Next Gen, a sustainable aviation fuel production platform that will revolutionize the global aviation industry by providing a scalable supply of low-carbon jet fuel. Summit Next Gen will utilize Honeywell's (NASDAQ: HON) Ethanol to Jet processing technology to convert ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Through the project, Summit Next Gen creates an additional market for low-carbon ethanol producers and advances the sustainability goals of the difficult to decarbonize aviation industry.

KBR’s ROSE® Low Carbon Technology Selected for Mumbai Refinery

KBR announced today it has been awarded a contract by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to implement its market-leading supercritical solvent deasphalting (SDA) technology, ROSE®, at HPCL’s Mumbai Refinery. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide technology licensing, basic engineering, training, start-up support and proprietary equipment to HPCL. The new 850,000 tonnes per annum unit will be integrated with HPCL’s existing facility.

Dangote Refinery in Nigeria Expected to be Commissioned in Two Weeks

According to statements from a spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the multi-billion dollar Dangote refinery is to be commissioned on May 22.

Petrofac secures new EPC contract as it continues to support Lithuanian refinery upgrade

Petrofac has secured an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) lump sum contract from ORLEN Lietuva, as it continues to support a comprehensive modernisation, environmental upgrade, and expansion Programme at the Mažeikiai Refinery in North-West Lithuania.

Par Pacific Announces Significant Investment in Hawaii Renewable Fuels Production

Par Pacific Holdings today announced it plans to invest approximately $90 million to develop the state’s largest liquid renewable fuels manufacturing facility at its Kapolei refinery. The project relies on the Kapolei refinery’s highly experienced operating team, existing tank storage and related logistics, as well as available hydrogen from current refining operations, a key requirement for low-carbon renewable fuels production. As a result, this project is expected to be completed for less than $1.50 per gallon of annual operating capacity and is expected to be commissioned in 2025. The unit can produce up to 60% sustainable aviation fuel in a first step toward decarbonizing Hawaii’s significant air travel market.

Technip Energies Awarded a Contract for Juhua’s Greenfield Chemical Complex in China

Technip Energies has been awarded a contract by Ningbo Juhua Chemical & Science Co., Ltd. (Juhua) for a 1,3-propanediol (PDO) plant with a capacity of 72 kta(1) and a 150 kta polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

CropEnergies to build renewable ethyl acetate plant near Zeitz

CropEnergies AG, Mannheim, Germany, will build a plant for the production of renewable ethyl acetate from sustainable ethanol. Foreseen location is the Zeitz Chemical and Industrial Park, Elsteraue, Germany. The supervisory board of CropEnergies has given the green light to the investment into what will be the first production plant in the new biobased chemicals business. The total investment for the new production facility will be between EUR 120 and EUR 130 million, which will be paid from the existing cash position. CropEnergies is currently engaged in the detailed and construction engineering. Ground breaking is to take place early in 2024 and the commissioning is scheduled latest for summer 2025.

Aether Fuels Options 200-Acre Site in Mississippi for Advancing Future Sustainable Fuels

Aether Fuels (Aether), an advanced climate technology company focused on developing sustainable fuels for the aviation and shipping industries, today announced a real-estate agreement with the Smith County Economic Development District in Mississippi. The transaction gives Aether the option to purchase a 200-acre (+/-) site near Taylorsville, Mississippi as a potential location for a liquid fuel production facility.