Refining, Petrochemicals, Gas Processing, Biofuels
10,000 bpd Nigerian Refinery Due in 2023
In mid-July, Nigerian independent company ND Western Limited announced it was developing a new 10,000 barrel per day modular refinery in Utorogu, Delta State. ND Western Limited is a consortium comprised of Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR), Petrolin Trading Limited (PETROLIN), FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development OML 34 Limited and Walter-Smith Exploration and Production Limited.
CNCEC of China Tapped to Build Refinery Complex in Iraq
The Government of Iraq has contracted China National Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNCEC), a state-owned construction and engineering company, with the building of a 300,000 barrel per day refinery and petrochemical plant at the port of Fao on the Persian Gulf.
PBF Energy’s Renewable Diesel Project Wins Local Support in Louisiana
The developing renewable diesel unit at PBF Energy’s long-running refinery in Chalmette, Louisiana was recently bolstered by a tax exemption approval.
Nigeria keeps up the pace for self-sufficiency in refining
NPPC spending money to keep capacity under control and improved for own facilities.
Maire Tecnimont Wins EPCC Contract in India
In early July, Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. of Italy announced that its subsidiaries Tecnimont S.p.A. and Tecnimont Private Ltd have formed a consortium that has won an EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning) contract by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for a new polypropylene plant in Barauni, India. Maire Tecnimont stated that the overall contract value was for $170 million USD.
NNPC to Advance Kaduna and Warri Rehab Refineries in July
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced in late June that it plans to award EPC contracts by the end of July for a pair of state-owned Nigerian Refineries. The company has been planning a much-needed rehabilitation project for the 10,000 barrel per day Kaduna and the 125,000 barrel per day Warri refineries, as they have fallen into inefficient operation over the years.
Reliance and ADNOC Team Up for Ruwais Petrochemical Complex
Reliance Industries of India and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) have signed an agreement for a significant new petrochemical project to be set in Ruwais, as jointly announced by both companies.
Petrobras Starts Bidding Plans for New Diesel Hydrotreatment Unit
In late June 2021, Petrobras announced that it has begun an international bidding process regarding engineering, procurement, and construction duties required for a planned newbuild diesel hydrotreatment unit and associated required systems at the company’s long standing and Paulinia refinery (also known as REPLAN) near Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Renewable Diesel Project Picks up Support in Louisiana
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and PBF Chalmette Refinery Manager Steven Krynski recently jointly announced that the concept of a renewable refinery conversion from an idled refinery unit at the Chalmette complex has begun the study process of progressing this renewable project.
Upcoming Massive Amur Gas Plant Adds Second Train
Progress at the massive Amur Gas Processing Plant (GPP) continues its march towards full startup.
S&B Signs on to build CP Chem Hexene Plant
Chevron Philips Chemical, a joint venture of Chevron and Phillips 66, recently announced it had contracted S&B Engineers and Constructors Ltd of Houston, Texas to build its grassroots hexene plant near Old Ocean, Texas. No value was given for this contract.
Future Uncertain for St. Croix refinery in the Virgin Islands
Limetree Bay Energy recently announced that it will indeed shut in its 210,000 barrel per day St. Croix refinery indefinitely due to what the company has stated as “severe financial constraints.” This refinery had been working to reinstate production since production was suspended on May 12th 2021, but was unable to secure funding to restart successfully.
Gwadar Refinery Plans are Shifting Over to Karachi
Saudi Arabia has reportedly altered its intentions to build a new refinery in Gwadar over to a new location near Karachi. Gwadar has been considered a key piece for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and this decision to move away is likely a detriment to the plans for this hub.
Methanol Plant in Washington Ceases Development
Northwest Innovation Works of Washington (NWIW) recently announced that it was temporizing any further development of the company’s proposed methanol plant in Kalama, Washington. The project is “effectively ended” according to the Port of Kalama, as NWIW intends to terminate its lease in the area.
Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery Maintains Progress
According to recent remarks made by a Dangote spokesman, the 650,000 barrel per day Dangote refinery currently under construction could see commissioning by the end of 2021.
NNPC Looks to Take Stake in Upcoming Refineries
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been endeavoring to acquire equity in as many as six developing private refineries in the country.
Nacero Awards FEED Contract to Bechtel for GTG plant
Nacero of Houston has awarded a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract to Bechtel for a proposed natural gas to gasoline (GTG) plant in Penwell, Texas. This multibillion-dollar facility has an anticipated capacity for 115,000 barrels per day and is believed to the first gasoline manufacturing facility to include carbon capture, its storage, and 100% renewable power.
NNPC in Discussions to Take 20% of Upcoming Dangote Refinery
The state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC) is reportedly endeavoring to acquire a 20% piece of the upcoming massive Dangote refinery in Nigeria. This refinery has a capacity for 650,000 barrels per day and is currently expected to begin production in 2022 as the largest refinery in Africa.
Shell’s Closed Louisiana Refinery Draws New Interest
Royal Dutch Shell continues to assess the future of its idled Convent refinery as it continues to receive purchase bids from an investment group in Louisiana.
Pemex is Buying Out Shell’s Interest in Shared Texas Refinery
Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and Royal Dutch Shell announced in late May that they have reached an agreement for Shell to sell its interest in the long running Deer Park Refinery of Texas, which has been a 50/50 joint venture consisting of Shell subsidiary Shell Oil Company and Pemex subsidiary P.M.I. Norteamerica, S.A. Once completed, this refinery will see Pemex take over 100% ownership of the facility.
Indian Refiners in Line for Iranian Oil
Indian refineries could very well be preparing to start buying oil from Iran as early as the second half of this year, if U.S. sanctions on the country are indeed lifted.
Lummus Chosen to Provide Novolen Technology for Egyptian Project
Lummus Technology of the United States announced that it has been selected to be the polypropylene licensor for work at the upcoming Anchor Benitoite petrochemical project in Suez, Egypt. This licensing also includes basic design engineering, training, services, and catalyst supply.
Engro Contracts Honeywell UOP and W.R. Grace for Technologies at PDH/PP Complex
Engro of Pakistan recently announced it has chosen Honeywell UOP and W.R. Grace for respective technologies to be utilized at the company’s upcoming Propane Dehydrogenation and Polypropylene (PDH/PP) production facility in Karachi, Pakistan.
Australia to Keep Two Refineries Open
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this week that the Australian government will indeed support the two remaining refineries still open in the country, and that these two refineries have accepted this plan moving forward.
Nigeria’s Refining Plans Remain Ambitious
Despite being a significant global crude oil producer with nearly 1.5 million barrels per day, Nigeria has continually relied upon refined fuel from beyond its borders. For many years now, the Nigerian government has faced obstacles such as geopolitical instability, inefficient and moribund facilities, and political corruption as the country attempts to create an export mentality moving forward.
Motiva’s Port Arthur Refinery Reportedly Shuts Two CDUs After Pipeline Outage
Multiple reports on Monday afternoon indicated that the largest refinery in the United States has had to temporarily shut down two crude distillation units after a reported cybersecurity attack on the Colonial Pipeline cause an outage of operations.
Technip Awarded an EPCC Contract for Upcoming PTA Plant in India
Technip Energies of France announced recently that it had been awarded a large Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) contract by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for its upcoming Paraxylene (PX) and Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) project on the East Coast of India. No contract value was stated, but Technip Energies considers a “large” contract to be between $353 million and $707 million dollars.
Dos Bocas Refinery Woes Continue
The state-owned Pemex Dos Bocas refinery project in Mexico could see a dramatic cost increase from $8.9 billion to as much as $12.4 billion, according to recent statements from the company’s board of directors.
Honeywell UOP to Provide Technology Support in Egypt
Honeywell UOP of the United States announced recently that it has been contracted by Anchorage Investments Ltd. for the provision of its C3 Oleflex™ technology for production of 750,000 tons per year of polymer-grade propylene for the upcoming Anchor Benitoite petrochemicals facility in Suez, Egypt. A contract value was not announced at this time.
BUA’s 200,000 bpd Nigerian Refinery Looks Towards 2024
The BUA Group of Nigeria and Axens of France recently announced a joint progress acknowledgement statements regarding the proposed BUA refinery to be built in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State before 2025. This latest endorsement comes about six months after both companies signed a contract for process technology and complex design.
