Economics
South Africa to hike petrol, diesel prices in December
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) — The retail price of petrol and the wholesale price of diesel in South Africa will increase from Wednesday due to a weaker rand currency and higher crude oil prices, the energy department said on Monday.
ExxonMobil to merge refining, marketing divisions
IRVING, Texas — ExxonMobil Corporation announced it will combine its refining and marketing operations into a single company, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants Company, in 1Q 2018. Bryan Milton, currently president of ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company, has been appointed president of the combined division by ExxonMobil’s board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2018.
Industry Metrics
The US saw solid product demand, despite a decline following the end of the driving season, and reduced scheduled maintenance lent some support.
Global: Increase in Russian fuel excise tax may hit refinery profitability
The Russian government’s recent decision to raise the excise tax on motor fuel by 1 RUB/l in 2018 may lead to serious losses for the country’s domestic refining industry.
Editorial Comment: Hydrocarbon Processing forecasts $361 B in total HPI spending in 2018
What is the state of the global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI)?
Construction—The cornerstone of a successful project
Construction is essentially a cyclical business.
Russian minister says OPEC oil deal hurting domestic economy
MOSCOW (Reuters) — Russia's economic growth in October was negatively affected by a global deal between members of OPEC and Russia to curb crude oil production, Russia's economy minister said on Thursday.
Unipec, Vitol place lowest offers in Bangladesh oil import tender
SINGAPORE/DHAKA (Reuters) — Oil traders Unipec and Vitol placed the lowest offers in a tender by Bangladesh Petroleum Corp to buy up to 1.27 MMt of oil products for import in the first half of 2018, three industry sources said on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka fuel shortage to end on Nov. 9
COLOMBO (Reuters) — Sri Lanka's fuel shortage will end on Nov. 9, Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said on Monday, as state-run oil retailer Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Lanka IOC traded blame charges over the shortage.
Industry Metrics
The global middle distillate market continued to improve on healthy demand and depleted stocks amid regional maintenance, while the bottom of the barrel saw pressure due to low demand and high inventory levels in Asia and Europe.
- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4
- Brookfield Infrastructure announces the acquisition of Colonial Enterprises for $9 B 4/4
- PBF restarts some units at Martinez refinery after February fire; fire-damaged units remain shut 4/4
- Japan to curb gasoline prices from June to cushion U.S. tariff blow 4/4
- Evonik presents innovative "Debonding on Demand" concept for more sustainable bonding 4/3
- Oil, gas and refined product imports exempted from Trump’s sweeping tariffs 4/3
