Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Crude oil

EIA: Crude glut helps lift US oil storage capacity

The EIA crude oil inventory data shows that total utilization of crude oil storage capacity in the US is at approximately 60%, compared with 48% at the same time last year.

Extend heat exchanger lifecycle with hyper-duplex stainless steel

Sandvik Materials Technology: Perea, E.

Intensifying performance demands in refineries, coupled with the ongoing decline in crude oil quality, require a new and improved duplex SS grade to withstand increasingly tough operating conditions. This need has led to the development of hyper-duplex stainless steels.

Improve the operation of fired heaters

S & B Engineers and Constructors Ltd.: Malhotra, K.

Fired heaters or “process furnaces” are used extensively by the refining and petrochemical industries. These heat transfer units generate the much needed process energy through the combustio..

Shale oil characterization optimizes refining process

KBC Advanced Technologies, Inc.: Sayles, S.

The abundance of shale oils is an unexpected gift for US refiners. These new crude oils have different characteristics from conventional oils that will affect refining processes and the operation of p..

Update on the catalytic cracking process and standpipes—Part 1

The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process is a well-established technology used by complex refineries. It is a key profit center, as the FCC unit (FCCU) has the flexibility to produce transportation ..

HP Editorial Comment: Downstream has good news for 2015

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

The outlook is optimistic for downstream companies. Independent refiners are positive on present and future demand for transportation fuels.

HP Global: Latin America’s refinery product demand is decelerating

The trajectory of refined product balances in Latin America and the Caribbean is changing. With demand growth slowing and throughput expected to rise by 2020, the region’s combined deficits for p..

HP Industry Perspectives: Notables from BP's Energy Outlook 2035

In mid-February, BP released its outlook for the next 20 years. As reminded by BP’s new chief economist, Spencer Dale, the outlook is a projection of what is most likely to occur based on the inf..

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

The global market is experiencing a potential temporary recovery from a prolonged decline, possibly followed by the continuation of the downtrend. This is reflected in continued growth in the US tight..

HP Innovations

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

Corrosion prevention for high-TAN refiningFor petroleum refiners, improving profitability by processing high-total-acid-number (high-TAN) crude oils requires an investment in high-temperature corrosio..