Refining, Petrochemicals, Gas Processing, Biofuels
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.
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.
