Refining
Neste Oil, Raisioagro research straw feedstock to produce renewable diesel
Microbial oil technology enables straw to be used as a feedstock for producing NExBTL renewable diesel. Neste Oil has tested processing of straw for some years, and pilot-scale microbial oil production trials were started last year when Europe's first microbial oil pilot plant was commissioned at Porvoo.
US to bypass Russia in liquid fuels production
The US is set to bypass Russia in the production of liquid fuels such as crude and ethanol this quarter, the IEA said, as global demand for oil is rising faster than expected.
Praxair starts up new hydrogen plant at Valero refinery in Louisiana
Praxair’s steam methane reformer (SMR) in St. Charles, Louisiana, will supply hydrogen and up to 450,000 lb/hour of steam to Valero’s new 60,000 bpd hydrocracker. The hydrocracker produces 1.2 bbl of high-value, low-sulfur products for each barrel of high-sulfur feedstock.
Saudi Aramco, Total set to begin exports at new Jubail refinery venture
Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co., known as Satorp, has started operations at its 400,000 bpd refinery in Jubail in eastern Saudi Arabia and will export its first cargo this month.
Saudi firm Petro Rabigh halts refinery operations after power, steam outage
Rabigh said it is currently working with RAWEC on the reconnection of power and steam supplies in order to restart production at its refinery, but did not say when operations might resume.
Europe to cap biofuels in transport fuel mix at 6%
The European Parliament passed a bill to limit the amount of transport fuel such as gasoline and diesel that can be obtained from food and energy crops to 6% of total energy consumed for transport by 2020.
CNOOC picks CB&I technologies to expand refinery, petrochemical complex
This award includes the first license in China of CB&I’s recently acquired E-Gas gasification technology. The E-Gas gasification technology can be used to generate clean synthesis gas from coal and petroleum coke for use in power generation, hydrogen and steam for refineries.
Gazprom Neft makes bid to upgrade Dung Quat refinery in Vietnam
Gazprom Neft executives says it has experience in modernizing and expanding refineries not only in Russia but also in other countries. Vietnam supports Gazprom Neft's bid to participate in the Dung Quat project, adding that the company needs to commit to supplying crude oil for the refinery.
Iran agrees to release detained Indian Oil tanker
Iran detained the ship carrying crude oil from Iraq to India on August 13, saying it was polluting Iranian waters. India had denied the allegation, and according to the tanker's owner, state-run Shipping Corp. of India, the vessel wasn't in Iranian waters when it was detained.
Kinder Morgan, Valero launch US Gulf products line
The approximately $250 million pipeline system has an initial capacity of 110,000 bpd with the ability to expand to over 200,000 bpd. The pipeline is now transporting refined petroleum products from refineries in Norco, Louisiana, to an existing petroleum transportation hub in Collins, Mississippi.
- NAPCOR releases 2024 PET recycling report highlighting system efficiency gains and continued strength of PET circularity 12/12
- OQ courts other partners for petrochemical complex in Oman as SABIC drops out 12/12
- Brazil's BNDES approves $71 MM for carbon storage project 12/12
- Cuba on edge as U.S. seizure of oil tanker puts supply at risk 12/12
- China oil demand to plateau between 2025 and 2030 12/12
- Germany's PCK refinery says no impact from pipeline leak 12/12

