Asia/Pacific
BASF braces for lower operating profit as Chinese chemical sales slump
Slight profit gains in farming pesticides, and specialty chemicals and plastics, will be overshadowed by considerable declines at its basic petrochemical businesses and at its Wintershall oil and gas division.
China seeks urban ban on high-sulfur diesel sales
The tighter fuel standards are an attempt to tackle air pollution. Emissions from automobiles, especially from diesel-burning trucks, are one of the main contributors to the choking smog in China.
China’s emergence as diesel exporter dampens Asian refining margins
The surge in Chinese shipments has been felt the most in the diesel market, where benchmark Asian margins recently slumped to 6-year lows following an almost 80% jump in Chinese exports.
Woodside’s CEO remains wary on timing, extent of any oil market recovery
The uncertain outlook is deterring Australia's top oil and gas producer from going ahead with its biggest growth project, Browse floating LNG, or from chasing acquisitions.
Asian refiners to cut back on naphtha imports
While the reduced volume has lifted spot prices, a weak gasoline market and cracker maintenance in North Asia in March are capping price gains, traders said.
KBR licenses new alkylation technology in China
K-SAAT is a new technology to produce alkylate, which is an ultra-clean gasoline blendstock. Under the terms of the deal, KBR will deliver the licensing package for this first-of-a-kind project.
Indian refiner Reliance to resume using Iranian oil
The Indian refining conglomerate, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, stopped Iranian oil imports in 2010 because it was worried about the threat of US sanctions.
Rising diesel demand in South Korea cuts exports, could enhance margins
Growing sales of diesel cars and increased use by the freight sector have stoked appetite for the fuel in the country, while subsidies to encourage diesel taxis may provide a further boost this year.
Japan embarks on wave of refining consolidation
With four of its five largest refinery companies set to merge, Japan could be left with only 3.2 million bpd of refining capacity by 2020 and as little as 2.3 million bpd by 2030.
Thai refinery to use Axens’ reforming technology
For this specific project, detailed studies demonstrated that Axens’ technology solution was the most economically attractive option for a given reformate RON target.
- CNOOC completes construction on $2.9-B, 1.8-MMtpy integrated complex in east China 8/22
- bp's Whiting refinery (U.S.) continues to flare days after severe thunderstorm 8/22
- Bachmann introduces latest version M-Target for Simulink 8/22
- U.S. to rule on biofuel waivers, but big oil refiners may need to wait 8/22
- Chinese independent refiner Hongrun buys Canadian, Brazilian crude 8/22
- Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia 8/22
