Americas
Petrobras undecided over outright sale of refining assets
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -- Petroleo Brasileiro SA remains undecided about the sale of some refineries, a sign Brazil's state-controlled oil company might be leaning toward forming partnerships by offering stakes in some of them, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.
US reversal on transparency could sting Canadian, European oil companies
HOUSTON/CALGARY (Reuters) -- A reversal of US transparency requirements for the natural resources industry could give American oil companies an edge over Canadian and European rivals who face some of the toughest rules in the world, according to company executives, legal experts and trade groups.
Phillips 66's profit misses on lower refining margins
(Reuters) -- US independent oil refiner Phillips 66 posted a lower-than-expected quarterly profit as margins were squeezed by the narrowing gap between US crude prices and globally-traded Brent crude, to which prices of refined products are tied.
Suncor Energy closes sale of Petro-Canada Lubricants
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- Suncor Energy announced it has closed the previously announced sale of its Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc. business to a subsidiary of HollyFrontier Corporation for gross proceeds of $1.125 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments.
Washington state pipeline disruption jury fails to reach verdict
(Reuters) -- A jury weighing charges against an activist behind a coordinated protest that disrupted the flow of millions of barrels of crude oil into the United States failed to reach a verdict in a case in Washington state, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Oil prices fall after sharp rise in US stockpiles
SINGAPORE/TOKYO (Reuters) -- Oil prices fell on Thursday after official data showed US crude and gasoline stockpiles rose sharply, although signs that OPEC and other producers are holding the line on output cuts helped support prices.
Industry Metrics
European refinery margins weakened due to slower gasoline export opportunities, despite the colder weather.
Global Project Data
According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database, new project announcements have averaged 11 per month since mid-2016.
Business Trends: Anticipated market and pricing impacts from new marine fuel regulations
In October 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that it will implement a new regulation that calls for the sulfur content in marine fuels to be reduced from 3.5% to 0.5%. The new regulation will go into effect in January 2020. This action by the IMO will have a profound impact on the maritime and refining industries worldwide, as well as on the environment. This month’s Business Trends section provides an overview on the anticipated impacts of the IMO’s decision on petroleum product markets.
Industry Perspectives: Global desulfurization capacity to skyrocket over the long term
According to OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2016, desulfurization capacity additions represent the largest capacity increases among all process units to 2040. This trend is due to increased regulations on the amount of sulfur allowed in transportation fuels.
- Wood to design upgrades at Ecopetrol refinery for cleaner fuels production 6/24
- Saudi Arabia's CMDC (BCI group) awards thyssenkrupp nucera key contract for chlor-alkali plant expansion in Jubail 6/24
- EU imposes measures to curb ethanol imports from Pakistan 6/24
- China doubles 2025 naphtha import quotas 6/24
- BEL Valves supplies six-figure order for Europe’s largest processing plant 6/24
- INEOS responds to UK Government's industrial strategy 6/24
