Refining
HP Boxscore Construction Analysis: Saudi Arabia’s plan for near-zero-sulfur fuels
To comply with mandatory sulfur specifications for gasoline and diesel from 2013 to 2016, Saudi Arabia is spending billions of dollars to construct multiple clean-fuel projects.
HP Viewpoint: Refiners have a new learning curve with shale oil
We’ve all heard the news reports: “Shale resource developments have the potential to make the US energy independent for the first time since 1952.” The long-term impact of shale resourc..
HP Brief: Brief
Galveston Bay refineryMarathon Petroleum has closed its transaction with BP to purchase several assets, including the 451,000-bpd refinery located in Texas City, Texas. The refinery will be renamed an..
HP Industry Perspectives: EU leans forward on clean-fuel strategies
In late January 2013, the European Commission (EC) announced ambitious measures to ensure the buildup and standardization of alternative fueling stations across Europe. Much of the earlier EC policy i..
HP Impact: Biofuel mandate vacated; agency responds by increasing mandate 60%
In late January, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2012 cellulosic biofuel mandate, concluding that its forecast was in ..
HP Innovations: Innovations
Coating system gets European patentHempel’s Ultra-High Solids and Speed (UHSS), a two-coat protective paint system certified for C5-M and C4 corrosive environments, has been granted a patent from..
Optimize feed treatment for polypropylene process
To realize full activity from polymerization catalysts, feed streams need to be as clean as possible from all contaminants and catalyst poisons. A very low level of even a single catalyst poison can reduce catalyst activity drastically.
Catalyst news
New step-out catalyst for ULSD and hydrocracker pretreatHaldor Topsøe has announced an improved catalyst preparation technology. In hydrocracking pretreatment and high-pressure ULSD services, the..
TransCanada expects Keystone XL approval soon
TransCanada, which has been waiting for White House approval for the 830,000 bpd pipeline expansion for years, expects to receive the necessary permit "by the first half of 2013," according to Paul Miller, a senior vice president in charge of oil pipelines. He spoke on the sidelines of a Houston conference.
Sunoco Logistics cleaning East Texas pipeline spill
The cause of the spill is being investigated. The oil leaked out of the pipeline Saturday into Otter Creek in Tyler County, Sunoco Logistics said. The oil did not reach the Neches River, which is connected to the creek, according to Tyler County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Freeeman.

- AFPM response to U.S. EPA actions on RFS small refinery waiver backlog 8/25
- Indonesia urges EU to remove biodiesel import curbs after WTO ruling 8/25
- Canada's Alberta eyes investment in Japan's refining to boost oil exports 8/25
- U.S. EPA approves biofuel waivers for small refiners, stirring concerns over demand 8/25
- Update: Russian oil supplies to Slovakia may resume as soon as today 8/25
- Liquid Sun launches eSAF production pilot with ABB, Finnair, Fortum and Finavia 8/25