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Refining

Improve the performance of your existing steam system

Merrick & Co.: Pelham, R. O.

This discussion tracks a material flow through the steam system, starting with feed and continuing with steam generation, steam uses and, finally, condensate recovery.

KBC licenses process simulation models to Japan refiner TonenGeneral

Under the contract KBC will provide a five-year licence for Petro-SIM, selected SIM models and software services to TonenGeneral. The deal will include initial software implementation services.

Marathon formally acquires BP Texas City refinery

The transaction was first announced on October 8, 2012. The base purchase price is approximately $598 million, plus inventories valued at approximately $1.1 billion. The refinery will be renamed and referred to in future Marathon Petroleum communications as the Galveston Bay refinery.

Brazilian oil workers expected to approve wider Petrobras strike – union

Workers are protesting Petrobras's latest profit-sharing offer, which the union contends short-changes workers to the benefit of shareholders. The strike is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 20, said Joao Antonio de Moraes, general coordinator for the Brazilian Oil Workers Federation, or FUP.

US gasoline exports to Venezuela hit record high

The volume was more than double the October level of 39,000 bpd. The gasoline exports come as Venezuela has suffered persist operating problems at some refineries. The country's largest refinery, Amuay, still has recovered only a little more than 50% of capacity since it was shut down after an August accident.

California safety board fines Chevron $1 million for Richmond refinery fire

The Richmond refinery fire in August lasted for hours, sending plumes of black smoke over the San Francisco Bay and causing an estimated 15,000 local residents to visit emergency rooms. An investigation into the fire is ongoing but so far has focused on a corroded pipe leading from the main CDU.

EPA proposes near 9% increase in 2013 for US renewable fuels mandate

The agency said it intended to require US refiners and fuel importers to use a total of 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuel during 2013, compared to 15.2 billion gallons last year. As in previous years, the lion's share of that mandate is expected to be met with ethanol made from Midwestern corn.

Marathon plans new name, upgrade for BP Texas City refinery

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

Marathon Petroleum, which officially completes its acquisition of the 415,000 bpd complex on Friday, has begun referring to the Gulf Coast site as the Galveston Bay refinery.

Japan boosts imports of Russian LNG, crude oil

Japan's imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia rose 17% to 8.3 million metric tons last year, while its imports of Russian crude oil increased 10% to 10.02 million kiloliters, or about 172,000 bpd. Japan also imported 8.12 million tons of thermal coal from Russia in 2012, up 8.1% from 2011.

South Korean refining margins projected to remain strong through March

Refining companies are likely to keep run rates high, until maintenance season in March, to take advantage of the better margins, and this will support export volumes. Margins are now supported by strong demand for middle distillates, especially kerosene, due to winter demand in North Asia.