Refining, Petrochemicals, Gas Processing, Biofuels
SABIC and FJPEC Agree to Construct Petrochemical Complex in Zhangzhou, China
Saudi Aramco subsidiary SABIC has signed a joint venture contract with the Fujian Petrochemical Industrial Group Co., Ltd (FJPEC) of China for the purpose of building what would be a significant petrochemical complex in China. The mega complex would require a total investment of about $6.18 billion and will be built at the Gulei Industrial Park in Zhangzhou city, in east China's Fujian Province.
ExxonMobil and SABIC’s GCGV Complex Due to Start by the end of 2021
ExxonMobil and SABIC’s joint venture project named the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures complex is currently going through its commissioning phase for a planned startup in the final quarter of 2021, according to the plant’s manager, Paul Fritsch. The $7.3 billion dollar project has been working to reach this updated pace throughout much of the year, after having been previously expected in 2023.
Hyosung Adds New Polypropylene Unit in Vietnam
Hysosung of South Korea has recently started up production at the second 300,000 tons per year polypropylene unit at its site in the Ba Ria Vung Tau province of Vietnam. The company started another identically sized polypropylene unit in March of last year.
Texas Refinery Turns to Blue Hydrogen
The Javelina Refinery operated by Howard Midstream Energy Partners (HEP) in Corpus Christi is set to become the first carbon-neutral hydrogen production site in south Texas.
Sunshine Petrochemical Project in Louisiana Faces Further Delays
The United States Army has ordered a full environmental review of the already delayed Sunshine Project in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The $9.4 billion-dollar petrochemical facility has designs for multiple phases and has faced environmental group pressures for some time.
Shut in Wyoming Refinery to Return as Renewables Plant
Slate Refining LLC of Wyoming and Starwood Energy of Connecticut have announced their partnership agreement for the purpose of reconfiguring Slate’s dormant refinery in Douglas, Wyoming into a renewable fuel facility.
India’s Ratnagiri Complex Still Looking for Direction
The developing Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals complex has been a controversial project the last few years and could be headed for more change if it hopes to find its footing in the short term.
PTTGC and Cargill Begin Planning Biopolymer Plant in Thailand
Agricultural entity Cargill Inc of the United States and PTT Global Chemical Pcl of Thailand recently announced that they will a new biopolymer plant in Thailand. It is expected to be located in Thailand’s Nakhon Sawan BioComplex in the Takhli district, according to statements from PTTGC chief executive and president Kongkrapan Intarajang.
PBF Energy Progresses Renewable Project in Louisiana
PBF Energy recently announced that it was in preliminary discussions with Honeywell UOP for licensing technology at its proposed renewable diesel project at its Chalmette Refinery in Louisiana. PBF is hoping to make a final investment decision on the potential project over the next few months.
NNPC to Take 20% Stake in Dangote Refinery
Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has recently approved the acquisition of a 20% minority stake by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the Dangote Petroleum and Petrochemical Refinery. Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, stated that the acquisition cost figure was $2.76 billion.
CVR Energy Delays Renewable Diesel Project Due to Feedstock Price Hike
CVR Energy of Texas recently announced that it was delaying the completion of a renewable diesel unit under construction at the company’s Wynnewood, Oklahoma facility. High feedstock prices were given as the reason for the project pause.
Petrochemical Competition Heats Up in India
Adani Enterprises announced it had created a new subsidiary known as Adani Petrochemicals Ltd (APL) to focus on petrochemicals.
Inter Pipeline and Pembina Terminates Takeover Offer, Heartland Petrochemical Complex Continues Pace
Inter Pipeline of Calgary announced in late July that its board of directors would not be reconfirming an $6.7 billion takeover offer from Pembina Pipeline Corporation. This arrangement agreement has indeed been terminated.
ExxonMobil and SABIC Mechanically Completes Gulf Coast Petrochemical Project
ExxonMobil and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, also known as SABIC, jointly announced this week that their Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) project near Corpus Christi, Texas has officially reached mechanical completion status. The partners stated that this success will put startup ahead of schedule and intended by the end of the year.
China Steps Further into Iraq with New Refinery Agreement
The Iraq Ministry of Oil recently announced that China had agreed on a plan for the funding, construction, and operation of a new refining and petrochemical complex in Southern Iraq.
Motiva Ceases Plans for Multibillion Dollar Petrochemical Expansion in Texas
Saudi Aramco owned Motiva Enterprises LLC has reportedly suspended its plans to implement petrochemical operations at its 630,000 barrel per day refinery complex in Port Arthur, Texas. Saudi Aramco has been reviewing this plan since last September as the company has been deliberating on increasing its oil and natural gas production instead.
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.
