Economics
Refining: Uncertainty grips South Africa’s Clean Fuels Program
The planned upgrading of oil refineries in South Africa to produce Euro 5-specified fuels will likely take longer than initially anticipated.
Editorial Comment: Petrochemical project announcements top $80 B since 2014
Although new petrochemical project announcements have fallen over the past 3 yr, the global petrochemical sector will continue to see strong growth through the end of the decade.
Process safety incidents, cognitive biases and critical thinking
Process hazard analysis (PHA) is performed to identify possible hazard scenarios that may occur in a process.
Calculate gasoline RVP seasonal change giveaway economics
Despite high demand and depressed refining margins, the US is in the midst of a glut of gasoline. This predicament is causing a rush to convert summer gasoline into cheaper winter gasoline, in the hope that using cheap butane and higher Reid vapor pressure (RVP) specs will increase refining profits.
Shaping the future of on-purpose propylene production
In the early 2000s, very few analysts predicted the innovation that would change the landscape in the energy, refining and petrochemical sectors over the next several decades.
IEA says oil prices will not jump sharply, despite OPEC supply cuts
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -- The International Energy Agency does not expect a major increase in global oil prices despite efforts by OPEC and non-OPEC members to reduce output, its executive director Fatih Birol told Reuters.
EU backs $130-B Dow, DuPont merger with asset sales plan
(Reuters) -- Dow Chemical and DuPont won the blessing of the European Union for their $130 billion merger on Monday by agreeing to sell substantial assets including key research and development activities.
CERAWeek '17: Motiva CEO discusses impact of border tax, US regulations
Implications of a proposed border tax could create higher crude and product prices, inflated margins and increased operating costs for the US refining industry, Dan Romasko, president and CEO of Motiva Enterprises said during a panel discussion at CERAWeek Tuesday, March 7.
Global Project Data
According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database, more than $400 B is being invested in active petrochemical projects around the world.
Business Trends: Africa—Will increasing demand spark downstream capacity builds?
Over the past decade, Africa’s oil demand has increased by more than 1 MMbpd, to nearly 3.9 MMbpd. Africa’s oil production is more than double the amount it consumes, but lack of investment, failing infrastructure and inadequate refining capacity force the continent to rely on imports to satisfy increasing fuel demand.
- 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
