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Refining

Winter storm challenges US East Coast energy complex

NEW YORK (Reuters) — The US energy industry is facing a massive test of its infrastructure as an intense winter storm roars up the Atlantic Coast, threatening power outages, refinery shutdowns and spikes in heating prices.

Curacao nixes refinery operation deal with China firm

(Reuters) — The government of Curacao has scrapped a preliminary agreement with China’s Guangdong Zhenrong Energy (GZE) to operate the island's aging Isla refinery, saying the company misrepresented itself and was unable to take on such a large endeavor.

Shell to retain ownership of A/S Dansk Shell

Shell announces today that the agreement it signed with Dansk Olieselskab AS (DO) in September 2016 regarding the sale of A/S Dansk Shell, which consists of the Fredericia refinery and local trading and supply activities, has terminated and the sale will not complete.

Chevron Phillips ethane cracker at Cedar Bayou hits milestone

​Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP announced that its world-scale ethane cracker at Cedar Bayou in Baytown, Texas successfully achieved the major milestone of mechanical completion.

People

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

SIMMONS EDECO has appointed Niels Versfeld as Chief Executive Officer.

Engineering Case Histories—Case 99: Pooling knowledge and experience builds personal and team success

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

With the help of an excellent mentor, I became adept at analyzing equipment and structures at the start of my career, using analytical techniques.

Reliability: Dry gas sealing technology replaces segmented carbon rings in small steam turbines

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Since the late 1800s, small steam turbines have incorporated bushing-type, single-piece and/or segmented carbon gland components to reduce and prevent steam leakage along the shaft.

Editorial Comment: Biofuels—A viable fuel source for the future?

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> focuses on the use of alternative feedstocks and biofuels. The goal of utilizing these technologies is to produce fuels and products that lower total carbon output/emissions, which is a major focus in decarbonizing economies around the world.

Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

US product markets improved, supported by higher export opportunities amid unexpected refinery outages.

Incorporate assurance into an operational readiness program—Part 2

Jacobs Consultancy: Picheo, G.  |  Reed, W.

Investors have a critical need for assurance that the asset they are invested in will achieve continuous operation at the designed rates, as well as meet—and hopefully surpass—reliability, availability and maintenance targets safely.