Refining, Petrochemicals, Gas Processing, Biofuels
Pembina Ceases Plans for Canadian Petrochemical Project
Pembina Pipeline of Canada and Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Company through their joint venture, Canada Kuwait Petrochemical Limited Partnership, have announced that their $4.5 billion integrated propane dehydration plant (PDH) and polypropylene upgrading facility in Alberta would be indefinitely suspended until further notice. This follows another recent indefinite deferment for a major project in North America just last month with Formosa’s $9.4 billion Sunshine complex in Louisiana.
The Refinery Restructuring Trend Continues Across Europe
Neste of Finland recently announced that it plans to shut in the refining operations at its 58,000 barrel per day Naantali refinery by the end of March 2021. This complex’s closure decision had been accelerated by the substantial decline in oil demand worldwide, in addition to competition from Asia and from environmental rulings.
Methyl Methacrylate Plant proposed in Louisiana for Mitsubishi Chemical
Mitsubishi Chemical of Japan announced very recently that it has acquired 67 acres of land in Geismar, Louisiana near the Mississippi River for a potential Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) plant. The company plans to begin feasibility studies next for this project.
Shell Begins Closing in its Convent Refinery in Louisiana
Royal Dutch Shell recently announced that it is indeed shutting down its 240,000 barrel per day Convent refinery in St. James Parish, Louisiana. This process has reportedly already begun and could be completed by mid-December.
China Could Surpass U.S. as Top Refiner Next Year
According to the International Energy Agency, China is expected to overtake the United States as the largest refinery in the world as early as 2021. Asian economies have been rebounding from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and China is adding capacity as demand is building in that region.
Neste of Finland to Shut in Naantali Refinery Next Year
Neste of Finland recently announced that it was planning to shut down the refinery operations at its Naantali facility by April 2021. This decision was made due to the pandemic driven decline in demand.
Technip FMC prepares to start work on the Assiut hydrocracking complex in Egypt
TechnipFMC of London recently announced that it has successfully completed all conditions required for the company to begin work on its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with the Assiut National Oil Processing Company (ANOPC)’s new Hydrocracking Complex for the Assiut refinery in Egypt. This EPC contract was signed in July and is considered by Technip to be a major contract worth over $1 billion USD. The exact value was not announced.
Alberta government seeks investment in petrochemicals and hydrogen
Alberta, home to Canada’s biggest concentration of chemical companies, hopes its new incentives program will not just attract investment to process plentiful hydrocarbons into value added plastic but also make the province a top hydrogen production region as well as a major recycling center.
Shell sees its future with fewer, more integrated refineries yielding renewable fuels, hydrogen
Royal Dutch Shell, hit by a $17.7 billion loss in the first nine-months of 2020 as Covid-19 slashed demand, will downsize to six refining-chemical integrated “parks” as part of a transition to lower carbon emission products.
COVID-19 Delays $9.4 Billion Petrochemical Complex in Louisiana Indefinitely
Formosa Plastics Group subsidiary FG LA announced on November 24 that work on the company’s multiphase Sunshine petrochemical project in Louisiana had been indefinitely suspended with no new timeline in place. This is believed to be the first significant project to be deferred at this level due to the continuing impact felt from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phase One of Nigeria’s Waltersmith Refinery Reaches Commissioning Status This Week
Waltersmith Petroman Oil Ltd of Nigeria recently announced that it will inaugurate phase one of its modular style refinery in Nigeria’s Ibigwe, Imo State this week. Waltersmith announced this on social media for November 24th.
Dow and the Al-Hejailan Group Announce Joint Venture for Saudi Arabia
The Al-Hejailan Group of Saudia Arabia and Dow of the United States recently announced that it will form a joint venture for the design, construction, and eventual operation of a polyacrylic acid (PAA) and emulsion polymers plant to be placed in Saudi Arabia’s Plaschem Park. This joint venture will be headed up by Al-Hejailan with 75% ownership with Dow holding the remaining 25%.
Continental Refinery of Kentucky Plans for Biodiesel Future
Hemisphere Ltd subsidiary Continental Refining Company (CRC) of Kentucky recently announced that it is considering a full conversion of its 5,500 barrel per day crude oil refinery in Somerset, Kentucky into a biodiesel production site. This refinery was permanently idled earlier this year and had been considered for outright redevelopment before this conversion plan materialized.
PTTGCA’s ethane cracker in Ohio delays FID
PTT Global Chemical America (PTTGCA) recently announced that it has delayed a previously anticipated final investment decision (FID) for its 1.5 million tons per year (MMtpy) ethane cracker project in the Ohio River Valley. The company had planned on reaching FID in the first quarter of 2021 as recently as this past September.
Siemens Energy partners with Linde Engineering to accelerate decarbonization efforts
The downstream oil and gas industry is under intense pressure to improve efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, comply with strict environmental regulations, and demonstrate that it can be part of a sustainable future. At the same time, plant operators face the ever-present challenge of lowering costs and maintaining profitable operations.
Shell halves production in Singapore under its energy transition plan
Royal Dutch Shell recently announced that its long running complex on the small island of Pulau Bukom in Singapore will reduce its 500,000 barrel per day production by half as the company continues to implement its plan to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050.
BP, Orsted launch green hydrogen project at German oil refinery
BP and Danish renewable energy group Orsted have partnered to develop zero-carbon hydrogen at a German oil refinery, BP's first full-scale project in a sector that is expected to grow rapidly.
McDermott wins contract for large Russian ethane cracking project
McDermott International, Ltd recently announced it had secured the upcoming phase for the large ethane cracker project from China National Chemical Engineering & Construction Corporation Seven, Ltd (CC7).
Shell announces it will close the Convent refinery in Louisiana
Royal Dutch Shell announced on Thursday afternoon that it plans to shut down its Convent refinery in Louisiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This closure is expected this month and will be the largest facility in the United States to close since the pandemic began its effect on the economy.
BASF and its partners place $4 billion petrochemical complex in India on hold
BASF of Germany announced that a multipurpose petrochemicals complex in India under planning with ADNOC, Adani, and Borealis AG has been placed on hold due to the ongoing global economic challenges caused by COVID-19. A statement from the company said that the pandemic effect has “led the partners to review the timing for undertaking this investment.” No new possible startup date was given at this time.
Tough decisions loom for Australian refiners
Operating refineries in Australia have been operating at loss level measures due to the impact felt nationally from the pandemic driven destruction demand, even as the country comes out of lockdown and government assistance begins to form. The GEI Data Warehouse is tracking four refineries in the country that are having to make hard choices on whether they keep operating, convert to terminal operations, or possibly shut in altogether.
Baker Hughes signs agreement to acquire Compact Carbon Capture technology
Baker Hughes has announced it is acquiring Compact Carbon Capture (3C), a pioneering technology development company specializing in carbon capture solutions. The acquisition underpins Baker Hughes’ strategic commitment to lead in the energy transition by providing decarbonization solutions for carbon-intensive industries, including oil and gas and broader industrial operations.
Oman’s Duqm petrochemical project postponed for now
The Duqm Refinery and Petrochemicals Industries Company (DRPIC) of Oman stated recently that the petrochemical portion of its Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Complex has paused its progress. The COVID-19 effect on the company’s economics has been called the likely reason for this postponement.
Samsung Engineering signs on for next phase of Mexico’s Dos Bocas Refinery
Samsung recently announced that its consortium comprised of Samsung Ingenieria Manzanillo, S.A. de C.V. and Asociados Constructores DBNR, S.A. de C.V. (AC DBNR) have been awarded a $3.6 billion contract for the next phase of work at the Dos Bocas Refinery. This refinery is located at the Dos Bocas Harbor in Mexico’s Tabasco State.
Shell Catalysts & Technologies launches the Shell Blue Hydrogen Process
Shell Catalysts & Technologies is launching the Shell Blue Hydrogen Process, which integrates proven technologies to increase significantly the affordability of greenfield projects for “blue” hydrogen production from natural gas along with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Affordable blue hydrogen enables the decarbonization of hard-to-abate heavy industries while creating value for refiners and resource holders.
Shell announces plans to reduce its refining portfolio
Royal Dutch Shell recently announced that it plans to reduce its refinery portfolio down to a count of six as the company plans to increase its lower carbon projects and to further support future cash planning. A time frame was not specified but could be completed in the next five years.
ULSFO refinery in Duqm expected to proceed
Canada Business Holdings (CBH) recently announced that the company will go ahead with its plans for an ultra-low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO) refinery in Oman’s Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Renewable refinery conversions increase across Europe
The energy transition continues across the globe as Preem AB of Sweden recently announced that it is indeed proceeding with its newly announced plan to convert the long-running Lysekil refinery into what is designed to become the largest renewable fuel facility in Scandinavia.
Nigeria’s Waltersmith modular refinery moves closer to startup
Phase one of the anticipated Waltersmith modular refinery in Nigeria is reportedly imminent, as pre-commissioning has been completed, according to Nigeria’s Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). This facility is in Nigeria’s Ibigwe, Ohayi/Egbema Imo State, and is slated to begin by the end of the year with a capacity for 5,000 barrels per day.
"Yes, Joe Biden really does want to end America’s oil and gas industry," says Gulf Energy Information CEO
The Biden energy plan has dire consequences for the oil and gas industry and the American economy.
