Refining
US raises mandate for alternative diesel fuel usage
Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, said the decision "will allow biodiesel plants across the country to invest and expand" and "sends a strong signal that the US is standing firm behind its commitment to strengthen energy security and break dependence on petroleum."
Mexico's Pemex chooses Bechtel for technology at new Tula refinery
The $12.54 million contract awarded to Bechtel is for the design-and-licensing costs for a coker plant with a capacity of 166,000 bpd, Pemex said. The new Tula refinery is being built near a current Pemex refinery and is designed to increase the production of low-sulfur gasoline and diesel fuel.
Nigeria throws doubt on planned $1.7bn refinery
In a statement, Niger Delta Refinery said it has found investors willing to spend $1.7 billion building a refinery in Nigeria. But Nigeria's regulator for petroleum resources said the project still requires government approval, undermining claims that the project was just awaiting completion of "formalities."
Phillips 66 chooses west Houston site to build new global headquarters
Phillips 66 is working on a design and intends to begin construction when plans are finalized and permitting is in place. The campus will include office space, conference and training facilities, along with wellness and dining options. Once ground is broken, construction should take between 24-36 months.
IEA sees high refinery activity boosting fuel supply
The Paris-based energy watchdog, which represents major oil-consumer nations, expects refiners to process around 75.7 million bpd of crude in the third and fourth quarters, 1.3 million bpdmore than in the last quarter of 2011. Behind the output rise is unexpectedly high production in developed economies.
Investigation into Chevron refinery fire in California finds thinned pipe wall
An inspection of a 4-foot segment of a pipe leading from the refinery's crude distillation unit showed its walls were 1/16 of an inch thick, down from its normal 5/16 of an inch, said Daniel Horowitz, spokesman for the Chemical Safety Board, an independent agency that probes refinery accidents.
Total, Lukoil select Foster Wheeler for Netherlands hydrocracker upgrade work
The objective of the project is to maximize the throughput of the distillate hydrocracker by debottlenecking the unit’s reaction and fractionation sections of the distillate hydrocracker, the companies said. Foster Wheeler’s scope of work is expected to be completed by June 2014.
Sasol eyes growth in North America, exit from Iran
Sasol's CEO said the company has a “huge strategy” in North America. In Louisiana, it is looking at building an $8 billion to $9 billion gas-to-liquids plant that would produce 96,000 bpd of mostly diesel. It is also looking at a 48,000 bpd plant in Alberta, Canada that would cost about $8 billion.
Carlyle, Sunoco finalize joint venture to operate Philadelphia refinery
Under the terms of the agreement, Carlyle holds the controlling interest and will oversee day-to-day operations of the joint venture and the refinery. In exchange for contributing its refinery assets to the joint venture, Sunoco retained a 33% non-operating minority interest.
Texas biofuels group Terrabon files for bankruptcy
The company has the licenses on technologies from Texas A&M University System, where they were developed and where it was formed to bring the products to market. However, it couldn't obtain the additional financing necessary to finish developing a commercial plant.
- 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
