Octane
Case history: Modernization of Russia’s refining industry—Part 1
Russian laws governing transportation fuels and crude oil have undergone many changes. These regulatory changes will involve the revamping of Russia’s refining industry. At present, this nation h..
Which margin levers impact Group I and Group II base stock competitiveness?—Part 2
This is the second in a two-part series assessing the struggle taking place between Group I and Group II/III for market control and price formation in the global base stocks industry. Part I provided ..
HP Industry Perspectives: Tale of two continents
Growing supplies by non-OPEC countries has introduced some calm for crude oil prices. However, other factors are influencing profitability and margins. In the US, the abundance of shale oil and the 40..
HP News
API releases three new standards to improve refinery safetyThe American Petroleum Institute (API) issued three new first-edition standards to enhance refinery safety and inspection programs:RP 583, Co..
HP Industry Metrics
Global energy markets are reaching a new equilibrium, according to Wood Mackenzie analysts. As demand shifts to the East, it will expand to extraordinary proportions. However, the world finds itself i..
Russian straight-run fuel oil supply collapse complicates Gulf Coast feedstock choices
In the next couple of years, collapsing Russian supply of straight-run fuel oil (SRFO) will undermine foreign supply of feedstock to the US Gulf Coast.
Which margin levers impact Group I and Group II base stock competitiveness? Part 1
As much as the lubricants industry might wish it otherwise, base stocks production is becoming more commoditized, and it is intertwined inextricably with mainstream refining operations. The vast major..
HP Industry Metrics
The total liquid supply growth by non-OPEC countries continues to rise and is estimated to reach 54 million bpd (MMbpd) in 2014. Increasing crude oil supplies from North America are contributing to sh..
IRPC 2014: Defining the course of the global HPI
Leading hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) executives and technical experts will come together June 24–26 in Verona, Italy, to share ideas, innovation and vision for the global downstream indu..
Innovative catalyst solution mitigates FCC operational issue
Marathon Petroleum Co.’s (MPC’s) Catlettsburg fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) experienced a catalyst circulation constraint due to partial blockage of an intra-regenerator standpipe. Th..

- India not to raise petrol, diesel retail prices despite tax hike 4/7
- China teapot oil refiners improve run rates but demand woes, sanctions weigh 4/7
- U.S. refiners' shares hit near 2-yr lows as Trump tariffs spur fuel demand fears 4/7
- Update: India's fuel demand hits 10-month high in March 4/7
- Oil and gas investor Afreximbank earmarks $3 B to support locally-refined products 4/7
- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4