Crude oil
Editorial Comment: What is the future role of the process engineer?
During the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ (AIChE’s) Spring Meeting, held in Orlando, Florida in April, I was honored to sit on a panel discussion with Paul Durand from ExxonMobil and Sanjeev Kapur from Apex PetroConsultants.
Industry Metrics
Reduced refinery output caused by planned and unplanned refinery outages, and record-breaking gasoline export levels and strong diesel inventory drawdowns, drove US margins to a record 3-yr high in April.
Advanced process control of debutanizers makes use of inferential predictions
Following good experience with a generalized cut-point calculation (GCC) inferential package, which models main fractionators with side streams, French energy major Total decided to experiment with a generalized distillation shortcut (GDS) inferential package, which models simpler, two-product distillation columns.
Use an Excel-based method to evaluate performance for the preheat train of a CDU
A rigorous and accurate performance evaluation of existing equipment is a key factor for the success of a plant revamp study.
Use advanced predictive analytics for early detection and warning of column flooding events
In this study, a methodology was implemented to predict crude distillation tower flooding events based on key process variables, including product yields, column pumparound (PA) flowrates, column temperatures and overhead reflux flowrate.
Refining: Winning strategies for oil producers
The prospect of peak oil demand will put pressure on resource-rich national oil companies (NOCs).
Industry Metrics
Atlantic Basin markets strengthened amid the onset of refinery maintenance season, while US support came from higher gasoline demand and gasoline price adjustments from the switch to summer RVP.
Business Trends: Refining margin time series evaluation
Refining margins can be calculated using several different methodologies.
Configuration study and design of sour water stripper units for a refinery revamp
As demand for oil products increases, refiners are expanding the capacity of their crude processing facilities to accommodate higher throughput.
Industry Metrics
US refinery margins showed seasonal y–o–y growth, mainly supported by gasoline and diesel stocks drawdowns due to refinery maintenance.
- NAPCOR releases 2024 PET recycling report highlighting system efficiency gains and continued strength of PET circularity 12/12
- OQ courts other partners for petrochemical complex in Oman as SABIC drops out 12/12
- Brazil's BNDES approves $71 MM for carbon storage project 12/12
- Cuba on edge as U.S. seizure of oil tanker puts supply at risk 12/12
- China oil demand to plateau between 2025 and 2030 12/12
- Germany's PCK refinery says no impact from pipeline leak 12/12
