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Crude oil

US fuel exports rise as record refinery production exceeds local demand

US production of all four major products -- gasoline, distillate, jet fuel and residual fuels -- was higher than deliveries for those products, so refined products were exported, the API explained.

Total secures €400MM upgrade to Donges refinery

“With the agreement, we confirm our plan to invest €400 million in the upgrade and expand the facility’s gasoline production capacity for the European market," said Total's president.

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

A sharp drop in the gasoline crack spread following the end of the US driving season and increasing inventories caused refinery margins to fall.

HP Innovations

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

Ingersoll Rand debuted its TURBO-AIR NX 8000 integrally geared centrifugal compressor at the Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia show in Houston, Texas in September.

Chevron lifts downstream results as margins rise

Downstream earnings in the third quarter improved in both the US and internationally for Chevron, with overall profit from refining oil into fuels jumping 59% to $2.2 billion.

Chevron extends job cuts to trading desks

HP Editorial Staff: HP Editorial Staff

Chevron will cut staff on its global energy trading desks, making it the latest unit to face reductions as part of a $3 billion cost-saving plan brought on by weak crude oil markets.

Improve refinery margins with new crude selection concept

Statoil Refining Denmark: Knudsen, P. U.
Frontline Systems, Inc.: Maleki, S.

A refinery with an active crude selection strategy encompassing dedicated staff, preapproval of all new crudes and an updated crude acceptance window can gain $0.5/bbl–$1/bbl vs. a more passive strategy.

Managing the recovery from the Jaipur oil terminal fire

Oil Industry Safety Directorate: Dutta, H.

In October 2009, a devastating fire at the oil terminal in Jaipur, India, killed 11 people, injured many more and incurred a significant financial loss.

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

High US refinery utilization rates have continued, encouraged by strong gasoline demand amid lower crude prices.

Varied solutions to the challenges of sulfur management

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

As governments impose progressively stringent limits on the sulfur content of fuels, the refining industry and the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) are increasing their focus on sulfur removal to maximize profits from sulfur-rich oil and gas resources.