Regions
China Eyes Continued Expansion of Smaller-Scale LNG
Smaller-scale liquefaction in China, the world’s second-largest LNG importer, has experienced growth in recent years as China’s government integrates more gas into the country’s energy matrix. With more than 75% of installed global capacity for smaller-scale LNG production and a market capacity anticipated to reach 20 MMtpy this year, China is expected to remain the global hotspot for smaller-scale LNG through at least the late 2020s.
Renewable Energy Group announces plans to expand the Geismar biodiesel plant to 340 million gallons per year
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) of Iowa recently announced that it is planning a significant capacity expansion at its existing renewable diesel refinery in Geismar, Louisiana. This expansion will fundamentally increase annual capacity with an additional 250 million gallons at the site by the end of 2023.
US brings 5 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity online and cuts major planned projects
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that an estimated 5 Bcf/d of new natural gas pipeline capacity came online in the first half of 2020 due to the completion of several major pipelines. While the US has seen an increase in pipeline takeaway capacity in 2020, around 8.7 Bcf/d of planned pipeline projects have been canceled.
ENEL and AME are planning the first green hydrogen plant in Chile
Enel Green Power Chile (EGP Chile), a subsidiary of Enel Chile, is planning to participate with Chilean power company AME and prospective partners ENAP[1], Siemens Energy and Porsche, in the installation of a pilot plant for green hydrogen production through an electrolyzer fueled by wind energy in Cabo Negro.
Global Project Data update for October 2020
Although the gas processing and LNG industries took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, new project announcements within the sector have increased for two straight months
Brazilian developments in the biofuels market
Since the 1970s, Brazil has been a world reference in automotive biofuels, especially bioethanol produced from sugarcane. In 1973, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) forced a sharp rise in oil prices, triggering a massive slowdown in the country’s economic growth, which had been going through what was dubbed the “economic miracle,” with growth at an average of 12% of GDP. This study gives an overview of the biofuel sector in Brazil, along with the main business challenges and opportunities in this area.
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.
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.
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.
Business Trends: The downstream dilemma: Past, present and future of downstream energy
The oil industry’s interest in the downstream segment of the business has known ups and downs. This article reviews the past, present and projected future of the downstream sector and its companies.
U.S. modularization—Keep an eye toward the most economical approach
Modularization has been discussed extensively as a means to facilitate the construction of significant projects. Many benefits exist for modularization, including controlled construction and schedule improvement. Due to the controlled environment for module construction, quality is more easily achieved and weather is not an issue. In addition, construction in remote areas (where field labor is a concern) is minimized.
Industry Perspectives: Petrochemicals surge despite possible future roadblocks
Over the past several years, investments in petrochemicals capacity additions have skyrocketed. Hundreds of billions of dollars have and will be invested in additional petrochemicals units and complexes.
Business Trends: Global LNG projects to compete with pipeline gas
Expanding LNG supply worldwide will continue to dominate the changing landscape of the natural gas industry and gas trade. By 2040, LNG is expected to account for more than 15% of global gas consumption, after overtaking interregional pipeline deliveries in the late 2020s.
Ultra-low-sulfur fuels: The evolution of clean fuels production
One of the most significant trends affecting the refining industry over the past 30 yr is the drive toward clean fuels production. A major aspect of “clean fuels” focuses on mitigating pollutants—carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter—from vehicle exhaust.
Business Trends: Application of blockchain technology in the petrochemical industry
A JV between Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons and Marathon Oil plans to build a modular refinery on Bioko Island. In late April, the JV signed a contract to VFuels to conduct a feasibility study for the 5,000-bpd facility. The project involves dismantling a methanol plant and converting it into a refinery. If built, the facility—part of Equatorial Guinea’s Year of Investment 2020 initiative—would provide refined products to satisfy increasing domestic demand.
Construction begins at massive polymer plant
A construction site in the Amur Region saw the sinking of the first test pile in the foundation of Amur Gas Chemical Complex, a facility set to become one of the world’s largest and most advanced basic polymer producers. The official ceremony was held online and was attended via video conference by Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, relevant Ministers, Vasily Orlov, Governor of the Amur Region, Dmitry Konov, Chairman of the Management Board at SIBUR Holding, and other representatives of government authorities, the Company and its partners.
Centurion Pipeline Announces In-Service Date for Augustus Pipeline
(P&GJ) — Centurion Pipeline has announced that the Augustus Pipeline is on schedule and expected to commence service on December 1, 2020.
Offshore wind continues strong growth, bolstered by new floating projects
As spending on renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, accelerates, floating projects will make up a growing share of activity.
PosHYdon: The key to unlocking offshore hydrogen’s future energy potential
The PosHYdon pilot project will create the world’s first offshore green hydrogen production plant in the Dutch North Sea. The project will gain experience in integrating working energy systems at sea and producing hydrogen in an offshore environment.
Pilot Plant Advances Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles for Gas-Fired Generation
Power cycles utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) as a working fluid show promise for many power generation applications, including high-efficiency waste heat recovery on pipeline gas turbines.
Singapore says LNG bunkering capacity likely to hit 1MM tons by 2021
Singapore’s annual LNG bunkering capacity is expected to hit 1MM tons by 2021, as the world’s largest marine refueling hub transitions toward cleaner shipping fuels, a senior minister of state said. The push is part of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) aim to halve the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from 2008 levels.
Japan's JERA looking to build 2 LNG power plants, scrap 5 aging units
Japanese power generator JERA announced it has begun an environmental assessment on building two 650 megawatt (MW) LNG power plants at its Chita thermal station in central Japan, and plans to scrap five aging plants.
Navigator Looks to Expand Borger Express Pipeline System
Navigator Energy Services has announced a binding open season on its Borger Express pipeline system, to provide shippers the opportunity to secure crude oil transportation services from Cushing, Oklahoma to Borger, Texas.
Gas Release from Kinder Morgan Pipeline in Texas
(P&GJ) — Kinder Morgan reported a natural gas release shortly before 8:30 A.M. on Sunday from its pipeline near Goodrich, Texas in Polk County outside of Livingston.
Licensing round October update
The industry's most comprehensive list of current and recent rounds for onshore and offshore licences
Golar Power offers top bid for Petrobras's LNG terminal
Golar Power Ltd has submitted the top bid for a highly-sought-after LNG import terminal being leased by Brazil’s state-run energy firm Petrobras, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The terminal and regasification facility was offered under a wider government effort to end the state oil company’s monopoly in natural gas imports and processing. The Bahia state terminal can process 20 MM cubic meters per day of LNG and includes a 45 kilometer pipeline.
BP's Tangguh LNG Train 3 in Indonesia delayed again due to pandemic
The start of operations of Train 3 at BP's Tangguh LNG plant in Indonesia is set to be pushed back again due to labour restrictions implemented as a precaution during the coronavirus pandemic, the company and a regulator said. Train 3 is now expected to start production in the fourth quarter of 2021, Dwi Soetjipto, chairman of upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas, told a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.
Permian Enters Uncharted Waters in Better Shape than Most Regions
With the Coronavirus crisis and its effect on upstream operations putting a damper on all segments of the midstream sector, some major projects in the Permian Basin appear to be moving forward, albeit at a slower and far more cautious pace.
Goldboro LNG project signs service agreement contract
Pieridae Energy Limited announced it has signed a services agreement with global engineering firm Bechtel related to Pieridae’s 2-Train Goldboro LNG Facility. Some of the key deliverables in the services agreement are: Initiating a detailed review of the scope and design of the Goldboro LNG Facility and developing a comprehensive engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) execution plan by March 31, 2021; Delivering a final lump sum, turnkey EPCC contract price proposal by May 31, 2021; and Conducting a meaningful engagement with the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq First Nations including their participation in the construction of a large-scale work camp at the LNG site.
