Refining, Petrochemicals, Gas Processing, Biofuels
Chevron Phillips Chemical delays the FID on its Gulf Coast petrochemical project
Chevron Phillip Chemical (CP Chem) has reportedly chosen to delay a final investment decision (FID) on a proposed 2 million ton per year ethane cracker and a 2 million ton per year high-density polyethylene (HDPE) unit with its partner Qatar Petroleum.
Crude Oil to Chemicals technology: a revolution for the petrochemicals industry
Refiners are looking to integrate petrochemical activity into their production in a big way. Crude-oil-to-chemicals (COTC) projects will be a powerful tool for refiners looking to maximize chemical production through increasingly efficient technology expected to consistently improve in chemical yields from the crude feedstock.
Formosa Plastics postpones construction on its Sunshine petrochemicals project in Louisiana
Formosa Plastics subsidiary FG LA LLC recently announced that it has chosen to defer the primary construction at the two-phase Sunshine petrochemicals project in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The negative effects on the industry caused by COVID-19 was named as the cause for delay.
Rising demand for hydrogen attracts interest of U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical companies
U.S. petrochemical companies that already produce hydrogen as a by-product in processes like ethane cracking or while making chlorine are exploring new revenue possibilities.
SABIC and Saudi Aramco are reevaluating their plans for the upcoming Yanbu COTC project
SABIC recently announced that it was reevaluating and likely expanding its vision for the crude oil-to-chemicals (COTC) project in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia with the integration of existing infrastructure.
Marathon begins permit approval process for Martinez renewable diesel conversion
Marathon Petroleum recently announced that it has begun the permit application process for the conversion of its idle Martinez refinery into a renewable diesel facility.
As COVID-19 conditions persist, some struggling refineries are trending towards renewable diesel conversions to survive
With the continuing pandemic driven reduction in fuel demand, refineries in North America have worked to survive in ways ranging from reducing production, additional maintenance scheduling, and the permanent shutting in of some complexes altogether. But another direction has begun to persist in North America and abroad with the decision to convert aging refineries away from traditional crude oil production into renewable diesel plants.
Shell’s Pennsylvania Chemicals project reaches 70% completion status
Shell recently announced that it was making strong progress on a 1.5 million ton per year ethane cracker and polyethylene project underway in Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Sinopec announces start of ethylene production at new facility in Zhanjiang
Sinopec recently announced that it has started up production at its 800,000 tons per year ethylene facility at the Zhanjiang refinery complex in Zhanjiang, China.
Petron of the Philippines is considering shutting down its 180,000 bpd Bataan refinery
Petron of the Phillippines could potentially permananty shutter its 180,000 b/d Bataan refinery as it pushes for more government support. This decision could make the country 100% reliant on imported oil products.
Australia's Ampol may shut oil refinery despite national security push
Ampol Ltd is considering closing its Lytton oil refinery, one of Australia's four refineries, as it has racked up big losses because of a coronavirus-driven slump in fuel demand and competition from huge Asian plants.
IMF recommends that Pemex postpones new refinery construction
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that construction of the Dos Bocas oil refinery on the Tabasco coast be postponed.
Shape the refinery of the future through integration
The negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment has become widely accepted, and our global society has begun to focus on alternative fuels. The pollution of the local, regional and global environment has become a primary concern.
Shell preparing three Louisiana oil refineries for approaching Hurricane Delta
Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s oil refineries in Convent, Geismar and Norco, Louisiana, are monitoring and preparing responses to the threat from Hurricane Delta, the company said.
Come-by-Chance refinery in Newfoundland sale falls through, could be headed for closure
An agreement for NARL Holdings to sell the 130,000 bpd refinery in Newfoundland, Canada to Irving Oil has been terminated, according to a statement from Irving Oil. The original intent for Irving’s purchase dates to May 2020.
Sasol to raise $2B in part sale of U.S chemicals unit to LyondellBasell
South Africa's Sasol announced chemical company LyondellBasell Industries has agreed to acquire a 50% stake in a unit of its U.S-based business for $2 billion, helping the petrochemicals firm to cut debt.
Japan's Eneos permanently shuts 115,000-bpd Osaka CDU
Japan’s biggest refiner, Eneos Corp, permanently shut the 115,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) crude distillation unit at its Osaka refinery on September 30 as planned, a company spokeswoman said.
Nigeria aims to revamp refineries, end oil-for-fuel swaps
Nigeria aims to end the country’s so-called oil-for-fuel swaps system in the near future and rely instead on oil products from local refineries, which it hopes to have running again by 2023, the head of Nigeria’s national oil company NNPC said.
Mexico investment plan's energy projects focus on Pemex refining
A $14 billion investment plan unveiled by the Mexican government focuses energy outlays on the refining business of Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), aiming to boost the state oil firm’s ability to process heavy crudes.
Business Trends: EPC 2030: Five vital characteristics that will define the EPC firm of tomorrow
The state of the global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) industry can accurately be described as “challenging.” Operating in an environment of volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous conditions, EPC firms are facing unsustainable levels of stress.
Executive Viewpoint: How to develop a successful asset management strategy during the coronavirus downturn
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted all sectors of the oil and gas industry, including asset management. Many plants around the world are operating in emergency mode or shutdown. No one knows how long this crisis will last, nor can anyone realistically predict the scope of the economic impact it will have. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize costs, while not compromising the effectiveness of industrial plants.
Editorial Comment: Processing a sustainable future
An emerging topic along the entire oil and gas value chain is the move toward sustainability. Each company has a somewhat different definition of what sustainability means to its operations.
Circular economy: Getting in the door of opportunity ahead of a vanishing polymer market
Significant change is coming to the hydrocarbons industry. Up to 43% of the global conventional polymer production expected by 2040 may disappear due to circular economy (CE) initiatives. In addition, due to the growth in wind turbines and solar panels, and in lightweight composite materials in cars and planes, advanced materials waste is just beginning.
Executive Viewpoint: Fuels and petrochemicals will continue to help humanity thrive
A 15-yr rise in U.S. exports of refined products continued in 2019 with the nation exporting more than ever, underscoring the importance of these products to fueling a growing world. In the latter half of the last decade, U.S. petrochemical production capacity increased—with more than $20 B invested in domestic petrochemical projects in the last 2 yr alone—and exports of petrochemicals and petrochemical feedstocks rose, as well.
Business Trends: Rethinking the refining and petrochemicals industries
Crude oil has been the fundamental element of transportation fuel for many decades. However, market factors are changing this dynamic, creating incentives for some organizations to consider oil-to-chemical complexes to maintain a competitive edge.
Executive Viewpoint: Sustainability: Initiatives, innovation and solutions to crucial challenges
Hydrocarbon Processing’s Editor-in-Chief/Associate Publisher, Lee Nichols, was pleased to speak with Jim Becker (JB), Vice President, Polymers and Sustainability for Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem). The following Q&A provides insights on CP Chem’s sustainability initiatives, plastic waste bans around the world, advances in chemical recycling technologies and solutions to help mitigate plastic waste around the world.
Middle East: Saudi Arabia eyes major growth in petrochemicals market
Saudi Arabia aims to become a major player in the global petrochemicals market within the next several years, with plans to increase domestic and foreign production and expand its exports.
Petrochemicals: Growth, challenges, advancements and the technologies shaping an industry
Over the past decade, capital investments in new petrochemical capacity have skyrocketed. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been invested in capacity expansions, upgrades and grassroots facilities, and the industry is not done yet.
Engineering propylene: Value unlocking with the PDH process
Propylene is at the core of the petrochemical industry, with the synthesis of its numerous derivatives finding greater application in industries from textile to automobile, cosmetics and beyond. Propylene is also a foundation block/intermediate for numerous chemicals, from isopropanol to polypropylene (a widely used synthetic material) to gasoline octane enhancers.
Advances in the OCC process for propylene production
Driven by rising demand for polypropylene, cumene, acrylonitrile and other derivatives, increasing global demand is seen for propylene.
