DuBose, Ben
Petrochemicals: Investigation into West Fertilizer blast shows room for safety improvement
The final investigation report on the massive West Fertilizer Co. fire and explosion in 2013 serves notice to the chemical industry that, while progress has been made, significant gaps often still remain within site safety protocols.
Industry Perspectives: Is 2016 the year when crude oil bounces back?
With both West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude oil prices tumbling almost 50% from 2014 to 2015 due to a global supply glut, this past year was one of great uncertainty in the downstream sector.
HP Petrochemicals: US downstream labor shortage extends to Appalachia projects
The downstream labor crunch that has plagued the numerous petrochemical projects along the US Gulf Coast appears to be claiming another victim.
HP Petrochemicals: Iran could soon become major petrochemical player if sanctions end
The ongoing debate over the Iran “nuclear deal” isn’t just political talk. It could be a key influencer for the future of the global petrochemicals industry, too.
HP Petrochemicals: Consultant: Managers need long-term focus to find downstream sustainability
Top industry management should consider profits over the long term to make the business case for more sustainability, with a particular focus on results in the four-to-five-year range rather than on the initial year or two.
HP Petrochemicals: Mexican executives see new government reforms spurring petrochemical activity
The CEO of Mexico’s state-run Pemex sees Mexico’s downstream and midstream industries offering big opportunities for new and foreign investments on the heels of the country’s massive energy reform program.
HP Petrochemicals: Fatal DuPont leak shows need for improved chemical safety systems
The November 15 chemical leak at DuPont’s plant in La Porte, Texas was the company’s third fatal US accident in five years and the deadliest of them all. The blast took the lives of four wor..
Inaugural Energy Construction Forum to examine US Gulf workforce concerns
Energy Construction ForumMarch 3–4, 2015Moody Gardens Convention Center, Galveston, TexasECF represents US Gulf Coast’s leading forum and expo for energy constructionUS new project market sh..
HP Petrochemicals: Update on ethylene tube coating technology
Improving the efficiency of ethylene furnaces has been a long-time goal for olefin manufacturers. The steam cracking or pyrolysis of hydrocarbons to yield ethylene also coproduces unwanted coke that a..
Editors’/Readers’ Choice 2014
According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database, over $1.143 trillion in announced global projects are at various stages of development. Using the Boxscore Database, HP editors identified 12 projects that will have the highest impact to the global or regional downstream industry. HP readers voted online to select the top project in each category.
- Digital Exclusive (sponsored): NXRe™: A novel recycling technology to support the plastics industry in creating efficient and effective circular value chains 12/22
- Portugal's Galp plans to start producing biofuels in 2026 12/20
- Prax and Shell call off deal on stake in PCK Schwedt oil refinery 12/20
- Nigeria's Dangote Refinery hits 85% refining capacity 12/20
- India's BPCL buys first Argentinian crude oil cargo for Feb. delivery 12/20
- Sinopec's Zhenhai oil refinery expands capacity to 40 MMtpy 12/20
