Refining
Crude oil prices forecast to decline beginning in the second half of 2023
In the EIA's January 2023 Short-Term Energy Outlook, it was forecast the Brent crude oil price (the global benchmark) will rise from an average $81 per barrel (b) in December 2022 to average $83/b in the first quarter of 2023.
PetroVietnam 2022 crude oil output flat at 10.84 MMt
PetroVietnam reported crude oil output of 10.84 MMt in 2022, flat from a year earlier and 24% above its official target, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade said.
Trafigura sells out of Russia-backed Indian refiner Nayara Energy
Trafigura has sold its 24.5% stake in Russia-backed Indian refiner Nayara Energy to a Rome-based energy investment group, following on from a deal on Monday where a group of firms backed by the commodity trading company agreed to buy Lukoil's Italian refinery.
Chevron's first cargo of Venezuelan oil after license departs to U.S.
Chevron Corp's first cargo of Venezuelan crude after a U.S. license received in November has departed from a ship-to-ship transfer hub near Aruba to its Pascagoula, Mississippi refinery.
Vietnam's largest refinery to fix leaking RFCC unit by January 15
Vietnam's largest oil refinery will complete repairs needed to fix a technical problem at its residual fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) unit by Jan. 15, two refinery sources said on Tuesday.
China issues second set of 2023 oil import quotas, up from 2022
According to the document from the Ministry of Commerce, 44 companies, mostly independent refiners, were given 111.82 MMt in import quotas in this round.
Russia's Lukoil agrees to sell Italian refinery to consortium
Russia's Lukoil has sold its Italian refinery to a consortium of Western private equity and trading firms in the first major asset sale since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the companies said on Monday.
Alcoa's Australia unit flags 30% production cut at alumina refinery
Aluminum producer Alcoa Corp said on Monday it expects production at its partially owned Kwinana alumina refinery in Western Australia to be cut by about 30% due to a shortage of gas supply.
Petrobras reinforces security at refineries after threats
Petroleo Brasileiro SA stepped up security at its refineries in a precautionary measure after threats against assets, including Brazil's biggest fuel plant, two company officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Venezuela's oil exports slipped despite big assist from Iran
Venezuela's oil exports last year declined due to infrastructure outages, U.S. sanctions and rising competition in its key Asia market despite assistance from ally Iran, according to shipping data and documents.

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