Refining
US petrochemical construction boom and refining margins cushion profits
Domestic refiners and petrochemical producers will face changing supply and demand conditions, particularly as the sharp decrease in oil prices influences drilling decisions.
Update on the catalytic cracking process—Part 2
One of the prime challenges in the operation of a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is keeping the catalyst circulating. Compared to other challenges with FCC operations, correcting erratic catalys..
HP Editorial Comment: Accessing the value of methane and the North American petrochemical revolution
The North American (NA) petrochemical industry is experiencing a renaissance of new project announcements and manufacturing expansions. This wave of activity is supported by abundant, low-cost natural gas supplies. In particular, many ethylene projects are under various stages of development.
HP Project Management: Inside look at financing biorenewable projects
Financing biorenewables technology companies and their projects involves a unique set of challenges. The global emergence of biorenewable fuels, chemicals and polymers is driven by public policies, su..
HP News
Honeywell will maintain control systems for Sasol CTL complexHoneywell Process Solutions (HPS) has signed a five-year agreement to support Sasol’s synthetic fuels and chemicals facility in Secund..
HP Industry Metrics
US commercial crude oil inventories are at elevated levels and are expected to increase. Lower crude oil prices have supported consumption in developed economies, removed budgetary constraints in emer..
HP Innovations
A joint industry project (JIP) has been launched between Swagelining Ltd., Saudi Aramco and The Welding Institute (TWI) to conduct investigations into the use of polymer lining in carbon steel (CS) pipelines.
Record US crude stocks set to decline as summer refinery runs ramp up
Wood Mackenzie forecasts refinery crude runs will rise significantly in April as refineries exit seasonal maintenance and gear up for the summer driving season.
Saudi Arabia offers crude discounts to hold market share with Asian refiners
Saudi Arabia is forced to act, as other crude suppliers have been making steady inroads in to Asia in the last few years and reducing Saudi Arabia’s market share, according to Wood Mackenzie.
Motiva to link Norco, Convent refineries on US Gulf
This multi-phased project creates significant operational opportunities, according to Motiva officials, including increasing access to advantaged light oil, optimizing inter-plant intermediates and conversion units, increasing distillates yield and reducing operating costs.
- INEOS Acetyls and Sandpiper Chemicals announce $1.7-B, 1.1-MMtpy low-carbon methanol project in Texas (U.S.) 4/29
- Envision joins AEA Ammonia Certification System pilot to accelerate global clean ammonia trade 4/29
- BASF and Nutrien collaborate on expanding access to low-carbon biofuel markets 4/29
- India proposes rules to allow higher ethanol-blended fuels in vehicles 4/29
- Indian refiners' March crude processing slips 1.8% from a year earlier 4/29
- Sinopec refinery utilization drops, but chemical exports rise due to Iran war 4/29

