Rhodes, Mike
People
The Marathon Petroleum Corp. board of directors has elected John P. Surma to serve as non-executive Chairman.
Industry Metrics
Refinery margins in the U.S. Atlantic basin rebounded. Deeper refinery intake cuts, as well as the low feedstock price environment, helped offset unappealing demand-side signals.
Industry Metrics
Refinery margins came under added pressure, affected by the downturn in product consumption inflicted by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Innovations
Porvair Filtration Group has further expanded its range of microfiltration products by launching seven new metallic Compfil™ filters (FIG. 1) for use within process air and gas applications.
Industry Metrics
In the US and Europe, weaker fundamentals at the middle of the barrel and in the jet fuel segment led to heavy pressure, caused by aviation service disruptions as the Covid-19 outbreak spread.
Industry Metrics
High product inventory levels and weak heating oil demand continued to weigh on U.S. refining economics. European product markets, except gasoil, exhibited positive performance backed by firm exports and heavy turnarounds in the Middle East.
People
Motion Industries Inc. has named Chris Pacer as VP of the company’s Central Group. Mr. Pacer has spent the last 22 yr with Motion Industries in various key roles after joining the company as a certified fluid power specialist. He was promoted to Branch Manager of the various markets within Northern Ohio and then joined the company’s corporate accounts team before being promoted to his latest position of Detroit Division VP and General Manager. In that role, Mr. Pacer was responsible for the further development and overall growth of 22 branch operations and one service center.
Innovations
Analytical Systems Keco introduces the 205L Laboratory H2S in Liquids Analyzer that quantifies hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in crude oil, fuel oil, naphtha, water, diesel and gasoline. The removal of H2S in crude oil, condensate and other liquid products before transport or storage is imperative to reduce the risk of health and safety issues, as well as product quality control. In addition to providing high precision in testing for H2S in crude oil, the analyzer is fast, offering results within 10 min.–15 min.
Industry Metrics
US refinery margins continued the downward trend, but the negative impact of the weaker domestic fuel market was partly offset by a rise in total product exports.
People
The Valve Manufacturers Association of America (VMA) has named Heather Rhoderick as President. She will succeed William “Bill” Sandler, who retired this year after a 40-yr tenure with the organization.

- U.S. EPA to remove proposed EV volumes from biofuel blending rule 6/6
- BASF increases alkoxylates production capacity in Europe 6/6
- Russia's Sakhalin invites India and China to tap energy resources 6/6
- Airlines urge co-operation to help curb emissions 6/6
- Oil prices steady as economic fears offset Saudi output cut 6/6
- U.S. diesel demand is falling despite economic growth 6/6
- VOC reduction at Raffineria di Milazzo’s SRU complex—Part 2
- Digital Technologies: Do not just monitor bad actor machines: Start when they are healthy
- People
- Editorial Comment
- Maintenance and Reliability: Non-standard flanges for catalytic cracking units
- How companies can take advantage of APM solutions to reduce planned maintenance
- Design considerations when flaring ethylene oxide
- Why sulfur plants fail: An in-depth study of sulfur recovery unit failures—Part 1
- Implement advanced level control techniques to improve crude distillation unit stabilizer performance
- Maintenance and Reliability: Non-standard flanges for catalytic cracking units