Refining
Vietnam crude oil imports to hit record as refinery gets ready to start
SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Vietnam's crude oil imports will soar to record highs in August as the country ramps up fuel refining at a time when local crude output is dwindling.
Saipem awarded onshore $850 MM E&C contract for Kuwait pipeline, refinery project
San Donato Milanese — Saipem has been awarded a new contract in the onshore E&C sector worth approximately $850 MM. Activities involve engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning for the “Feed Pipelines for New Refinery Project (NRP)” in relation to the development of the new Al Zour refinery located in the south of Kuwait.
EIA: US crude stockpiles fall the most in nearly a year
NEW YORK (Reuters) — US crude oil inventories fell for the seventh consecutive week in their largest drawdown in nearly a year while exports and production continued to rise, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.
XOS launches analyzer for testing critical elements in petroleum refineries
ALBANY, N.Y. — XOS has announced the worldwide release of Petra MAX, a new D4294 analyzer with combined analysis of 13 elements from P to Zn. Petra MAX delivers high-precision sulfur analysis in addition to rapid monitoring of critical elements like Ca, Fe, K, Ni, and V at sub-ppm levels.
Iraq sets up oil shipping, trading joint venture
DUBAI (Reuters) — OPEC member Iraq has formed a JV with a shipping company owned by Arab states to transfer, store and trade crude and oil products, according to official documents and industry sources.
Thai Oil buys 1 MMbbl North Sea crude for Nov to replace Mideast oil
SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Refiner Thai Oil PCL has bought 1 MMbbl of North Sea Forties crude to be delivered in November to replace more expensive Middle East oil, trade sources said on Wednesday.
S.Korea's July Iranian crude oil imports jump 27%
SEOUL (Reuters) — South Korea's crude oil imports from Iran rose 26.5% in July from a year ago, driven by Seoul's strong appetite for competitively priced Iranian light oil as Tehran looks to boost market share.
China's state oil giant to complete ownership reforms by Nov
SHANGHAI (Reuters) — State-owned refiner China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) said it will complete mandatory mixed-ownership reforms before the end of November, as part of government efforts to make state firms more efficient and market-oriented.
Oil traders expect Asia to import more Venezuelan crude if US sanctions kick in
SINGAPORE/HOUSTON (Reuters) — Asia would be the biggest beneficiary of any potential sanctions by the United States on Venezuela's oil sector, said traders and analysts, as exports from the South American OPEC member could be redirected to the region, filling a vacuum left by producer supply cuts.
Former Mexico oil chief denies taking bribes from Odebrecht
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) — The former head of Mexican state oil company Pemex, Emilio Lozoya, "categorically denied" allegations he received $10 MM in bribes from Odebrecht in exchange for awarding the Brazilian company a contract at a refinery.

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