Octane
US refining margins improve, but some refineries remain at risk
During the fourth quarter of 2010, US refining industry performance improved relative to the prior quarter. While the US Gulf Coast crack spreads were somewhat lower in the fourth quarter, the light-heavy crude oil price differential (LLS-Maya) continued to favor refineries with heavier crude slates.
Mubarak exits stage right
What will this mean for IOCs doing business in the region?
Slurry-phase hydrocracking—possible solution to refining margins
Opportunity crudes require more hydrogen addition to upgrade orphan product streams into higher-value ‘clean’ products
Convert bottom-of-the-barrel into diesel and light olefins
Integrating residue hydrocracking operations with advanced fluid catalytic cracking optimizes upgrading of heavy crude oils
What are the future fungible transportation fuels?
Alternatives hold promises to decrease dependence on crude oil, but they also uncover other challenges in distribution and engine use
Minimize carbon footprint from Claus tail-gas units
Reevaluate emissions efficiencies on sulfur-removal operations
HP Impact: Team overcomes obstacles to cellulosic biofuel production
A newly engineered yeast strain can simultaneously consume two types of sugar from plants to produce ethanol, researchers report. The sugars are glucose, a six-carbon sugar that is relatively easy to ..
Designing atmospheric crude distillation for bitumen service
Oil sands add complexity to separation units and require a new approach
BP wants to sell two US refineries
BP announced today that it is looking to sell two of its US refineries. The company has officially put a “for sale” sign in front of its refineries in Texas City, Texas, and Carson, California.
BP says emerging economies will lead energy growth to 2030
World energy growth over the next 20 years is expected to be dominated by emerging economies such as China, India, Russia and Brazil while improvements in energy efficiency measures are set to accelerate, according to BP’s latest projection of energy trends, the BP Energy Outlook 2030.

- Lummus Technology completes acquisition of NAPCON from Neste, expanding digital and AI capabilities 6/2
- IATA expects sustainable aviation fuel production to double in 2025 6/2
- RIC Energy and Siemens to jointly develop renewable H2, green ammonia and eFuels 6/2
- Trump administration (U.S.) axes $3.7-B in green energy projects 6/2
- European chemical industry pessimistic for 2025, recovery not until 2026 says new report 6/2
- U.S. ethanol output eases off record pace as summer travels heat up 6/2