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Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s SABIC targets US shale as leading chemical feedstock

Saudi petrochemicals businesses have benefited in the past from feedstock subsidies that are being phased out as the government looks to bridge a substantial budget deficit after oil's two-year downturn.

Petrochemicals: The changing competitive landscape for GCC ethylene production

Nexant: Shafi, R.  |  Nguyen, T.  |  Platt, R.

Much of the global petrochemical industry is built around the abundant oil and gas reserves of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Business Trends: Global petrochemical overview—Part 2

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Part 1 of this series provided an overview on the present state of the petrochemical industry, a breakdown on construction project numbers by region, as well as major trends in Africa, the Middle East and the US. Part 2 examines the landscape in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Global Project Data

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database, nearly 300 new downstream projects have been announced around the globe over the past year.

Iran secures two more European refiners as customers for its oil

Both refiners bought Iran's oil before sanctions against the country's nuclear program effectively halted its shipments to Europe, which had accounted for more than a third of its exports.

Saudi Aramco sets financing for industrial push

Aramco's board approved an additional equity contribution for its Sadara petrochemical JV with US firm Dow Chemical , the Arabian Sun said, without disclosing the size of the capital injection.

China’s stimulus may briefly boost gasoil margins for Asian refiners

There are two main factors at work that are improving the outlook for the region's major industrial and transport fuel, namely the expectation of stimulus spending in China and refinery maintenance in the region, as well as the Middle East.

UAE to raise gasoline, diesel costs in May

The price of a liter of octane 95 gasoline will rise to 1.67 dirhams (46 US cents) at the start of next month from 1.51 dirhams. The domestic diesel price will increase to 1.60 dirhams from 1.56 dirhams.

Saudi Aramco mulls proposals to invest in Indian downstream projects

India's oil minister met earlier this month with Saudi Aramco chairman Khalid al-Falih and sought Saudi investment in a planned 1.2-MMbpd refinery on India's west coast, the expansion of the Bina refinery and a petrochemical plant at Dahej.

Amec Foster Wheeler wins FEED to modernize major SOCAR refinery

The contract, awarded by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), is part of a major investment to increase the refinery’s capacity and improve the quality of the fuel produced.