Economics
Asian slump, Cyclone Alfred, slash Ampol's refinery margins by half
Australia's top fuel retailer Ampol reported a 49% drop in 1Q refining margins for its Lytton refinery in Queensland on Wednesday, citing lost production due to Cyclone Alfred and weak refining margins in Singapore — a bellwether for Asia.
OQ, Royal Vopak partner to accelerate development of Duqm as an integrated industrial hub
OQ, spearheading the development of Duqm in Oman as a premier integrated hub for hydrocarbons, chemicals, and low-carbon products, and Royal Vopak entered into an exclusive partnership framework agreement in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). This is a significant step for a strategic alliance that aims to unlock future growth opportunities in industrial and energy terminal infrastructure and sustainable energy transition facilities in SEZAD.
Axens completes site expansion to produce hydrogenation tail gas treatment catalysts in Saudi Arabia
The expansion of Axens Catalyst Arabia Limited comprises an additional capacity for Axens to manufacture tail gas treatment catalysts on site.
Fortescue, CMB.TECH sign agreement for ammonia-powered ore carrier
CMB.TECH NV has signed an agreement with Fortescue to charter a new ammonia-powered vessel. This emphasizes the commitment of both companies to decarbonize the shipping industry.
Digital Feature: Guidance for developing first-of-a-kind projects and processes
New products and processes have the potential to drive new value through performance or cost improvements targeted to evolving market needs in the oil, gas and chemical industry. To realize this value, however, organizations must navigate a challenging path through development and scale-up of first-of-a-kind processes.
U.S. oil, biofuel group recommends 5.25 Bgal in biomass diesel mandates
A U.S. and biofuel coalition recommended that the Environmental Protection Agency propose federal mandates for biomass diesel blending for 2026 at 5.25 billion gallons (Bgal), which would be a significant increase from previous mandates.
Ukraine will add bioethanol to petrol from May, seeks first imports from EU
Ukraine will introduce the mandatory addition of 5% bioethanol to motor fuel from May 1 to meet EU sustainability regulations, and some European refineries have already started producing fuel for Ukraine.
S&P analysis: Global refined product demand growth likely to weaken, absolute decline cannot be ruled out
Despite the announced pause in U.S. tariffs, recent market volatility and ongoing uncertainty are going to have a dramatic impact on global refined product demand, a new analysis S&P Global Commodity Insights analysis says.
U.S. targets China oil storage terminal in new Iran-related sanctions
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iranian oil trading networks on Thursday, including on a China-based crude oil storage terminal linked via a pipeline to an independent refinery, just days before talks between the U.S. and Iran.
TransTech and Metalforms complete acquisition of Koch Heat Transfer's assets
TransTech Group has completed the acquisition of Koch Heat Transfer’s international assets and intellectual property through its subsidiary, Metalforms LLC. The transaction includes Koch Heat Transfer’s European assets and global rights to its proprietary BROWN FINTUBE® Products and TWISTED TUBE® Heat Exchanger Technologies.

- Brazilian sugarcane processors mulling switch to more ethanol production 5/19
- Fuji Oil cancels Japanese biofuels plant due to high construction costs 5/19
- Italy's Meloni warns EU green policies risk 'industrial desertification' 5/19
- Nuberg EPC, EDL sign technical collaboration agreement across several industries 5/19
- Infinium will deploy Electric Hydrogen’s HYPRPlant at large-scale eFuels facility in Texas (U.S.) 5/19
- Asian petrochemical producers chase ethane gains as margins dwindle 5/19