Americas
Jacobs signs global enterprise framework agreement with Shell
DALLAS — Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has signed a global Enterprise Framework Agreement (EFA) renewal with Shell Oil Company to provide concept, front-end engineering, detailed design, procurement, project management, construction management and construction services for Shell projects globally.
PDVSA's refining network to work at 44% of capacity in August
HOUSTON (Reuters) — Venezuela's oil company PDVSA expects its refining network to work at 44% of capacity in August due to a lack of light crude and spare parts and planned maintenance work, according to an internal report from the state-run firm seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
Brazil fuel, lubricant imports surge 57% in July
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) — Brazil's fuel and lubricant imports shot up 57.3% in July from the same month in 2016 to $1.522 B, government data showed on Tuesday.
US oil refiner HollyFrontier's profit tops estimates
(Reuters) — US oil refiner HollyFrontier Corp on Wednesday reported a quarterly profit that handily beat analysts' estimates, helped by higher production and refinery margins.
US ethanol makers steer away from fuel, reach for booze
CHICAGO (Reuters) — A US glut of fuel-grade ethanol has major producers, including Green Plains Inc and industry pioneer Archer Daniels Midland Co, pursuing other markets and idling excess capacity in an effort to rebuild sagging margins.
Troubleshooting vacuum operation of an inter-after condenser unit in an ethylene plant
A system of compressors powered by surface condensing steam turbines is inherent in the operation of a typical ethane cracker unit.
Boxscore Construction Analysis: The state of the global downstream construction sector
In May, Lee Nichols, Editor and Associate Publisher of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> and <i>Gas Processing</i>, presented a detailed, year-to-date trend analysis and review on new and active downstream construction projects around the world.
People
Dr. Béla Kelemen has been named President of the European Petroleum Refiners Association for the next 2-yr term.
Global Project Data
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database is tracking nearly 350 downstream projects with capital expenditures (CAPEX) of $1 B or greater.
Business Trends: Ethylene production economics from optional feedstocks
The petrochemicals industry is witnessing enormous growth worldwide. Ethylene is produced by cracking a range of hydrocarbons. Naphtha is the main raw material used in European and Japanese crackers, while the US utilizes ethane as its primary feedstock.

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