Refining
Magellan Midstream CEO: El Paso-Houston pipeline not fully committed
Magellan Midstream plans to begin by 2013 its project to ship oil from increasingly productive south Texas fields to the refining belt along the US Gulf Coast despite lacking enough shipper interest to fill the line. Last year's WTI-Brent crude price disparity helped spark multiple projects to bring Cushing crude to the Gulf.
US shale boom drives oilfield chem demand - study
The oilfield specialty chemicals market grew to nearly $16 billion in 2010, driven in large part by the rapid expansion of shale oil and gas drilling and production in North America, according to a new study. World demand for these chemicals is expected to grow at an average rate of 3.5% during the next five years.
Shaw lands technology upgrading deal for FCC unit at Thailand refinery
The Shaw Group was awarded a contract to provide the technology license and process design package for the revamp of a residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) unit for Star Petroleum Refining Co. in Map Ta Phut, Thailand. The upgrade will incorporate the latest advances in reactor system technology.
Sunoco to swap CEOs amid transition to logistics
Sunoco’s Lynn Elsenhans will step down as CEO and be replaced by Brian MacDonald in March, as the US-based company continues its exit from the manufacturing industry and transition to a logistics and retail focus. MacDonald, 46, joined Sunoco in 2009 as senior vice president and chief financial officer.
ExxonMobil's natural gas emphasis may hurt small US producers
ExxonMobil’s decision to leave US natural gas output untouched despite low commodity prices may push smaller producers out of the business, force industry consolidation and make Exxon an even more powerful force. The company said drilling for natural gas in some areas is still profitable, even at current prices.
Shell looking at ways to improve US gas profits
The company says it may seek land for potential liquefaction and export terminals. After heavy investment in US shale assets, low gas prices are driving up project costs.
CB&I to supply process heaters for Russia refinery modernization work
CB&I said Thursday that its Lummus Technology business sector was awarded two separate contracts by a client in Russia. The scope of work includes detailed design and engineering and material supply for numerous heaters for a refinery modernization project, the company said.
Brazil sets domestic record for crude, natural gas production in 2011
Brazil set a record for crude oil and natural gas production in 2011 as ongoing tests at recently discovered oil fields continue to boost the country's output. Average daily output was 2.52 million BOE in 2011, up from 2.45 million BOE per day in 2010, according to the ANP.
Debottleneck crude-unit preheat exchanger network inefficiencies
Simulation models can be effectively used to optimize heat transfer and boost operational performance
Consider total value when optimizing catalytic cracking units
Low rare-earth catalysts balance activity and selectivity against cost
- Sinopec, Aramco start building $10-B petchem complex in China's Fujian province 11/18
- Clariant EnviCat N2O-S catalyst to cut CO2eq by 690,000 tpy at Hengli’s nitric acid plant in China 11/18
- Russia's Ilsky refinery has asked for gov't help over high rates, modernization 11/18
- North Dakota (U.S.) approves Summit Carbon pipeline permit 11/18
- China's oil refinery output falls from a year ago for a seventh month 11/18
- European oil giants step back from renewables path 11/18
