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Refining

Motiva restarts expansion segment of huge Port Arthur refinery in Texas

The process of restarting the unit began late last year, but was further delayed by the discovery of new pipe leaks and a small fire. A person familiar with operations said the segment will run at 200,000 to 225,000 bpd for about three to four weeks before ramping up to its full capacity of 325,000 bbl.

Nebraska approves new Keystone XL pipeline route

The approval by the state's governor, a Republican, is one of the last remaining hurdles the pipeline has to clear before getting a final permit from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, the US State Department is expected to release a draft of its own findings in the coming days.

IEA raises forecast for global oil demand in 2013, citing strength in China

In China, which alone accounted for two-thirds of total oil demand growth in the four years to 2011, infrastructure spending, stronger electricity use and increased rail usage could underpin an increase in demand, the IEA said. In Europe, however, the picture still remains bleak.

HollyFrontier reportedly hit by fire at Wyoming refinery's delayed coker

A gas leak caused the fire to break at around 12:00 p.m. MST, and refinery operators, the plant's fire brigade and members of Cheyenne's fire department worked to isolate it at the delayed coker unit and to extinguish it by 1:45 p.m. MST on Wednesday, the local news report said.

Neste Oil joins EU renewable aviation fuels project

Rather than aiming for any commercial gain from the project, the members of the consortium will focus on building up common research and test data on the use of renewable aviation fuel, in areas such as logistics and the practical issues related to fueling associated with scheduled flights in Europe.

US growth in tight oil production could reshape Canadian oil sands markets

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

The US will remain the main market for Canada's oil sands and its import levels are expected to grow, but the destinations and types of imports are likely to be altered.

Aramco, Bapco to upgrade path of joint oil pipeline to lone Bahrain refinery

The project will up the capacity of the pipeline, opened in 1945, to 350,000 bpd of oil from 230,000 bpd, the person said. The project is part of a strategy to develop Bahrain's oil and gas sector.

PTT aims to join Pertamina Indonesia refinery study

After Pertamina chooses its partner, the study will be conducted to determine production capacity, investment details, and a timeframe, said Pailin Chuchottaworn, chief executive of PTT. PTT sees investment opportunities in Indonesia's energy sector given its huge population and potential demand.

US weekly ethanol production sinks to record low

The figure was the lowest since the EIA began releasing weekly ethanol production data in mid-2010. It was slightly below the previous low of 785,000 bpd in late September. US ethanol producers have struggled with weak margins since early last year, pressured by several factors.

BP outlook shows North America shale oil boom putting pressure on OPEC

BP's forecasts illustrate the extent to which the North American boom, first in shale gas production and now in shale oil, has redrawn the global energy map. However, the company doesn't expect the shale revolution to spread by 2030 on any great scale to Asia or Europe.