Crude oil
Central America: A downstream outlook to 2020
Due to the growth in the region’s middle class, Latin America has seen tremendous petroleum products demand growth over the past decade.
Improve refinery flexibility and responsiveness
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) has changed significantly with an abundance of available discounted crude oils, a rise in markets served beyond the traditional local or regional demands, and a renewed focus on being both competitive and profitable while complying with ever-changing regulations.
Bitumen partial and targeted upgrading: The next step
Alberta, Canada oil sands production is projected to reach 3.2 MMbpd by 2020 and to further increase by 2030, to about 5.2 MMbpd.
HP Editorial Comment: Is the global refining sector growing toward overcapacity?
The global refining sector has been a bright spot for the oil and gas industry for nearly a year.
HP Business Trends
To satisfy its growing refined fuel demand, Latin America has relied heavily on imports from the US. Major refinery projects have been announced to curb this reliance, but the drop in crude oil prices has limited capacity expansions.
HP Industry Metrics
The US product market continued to reflect a surge in domestic gasoline demand, allowing gasoline cracking spreads to hit levels not seen in more than two years.
Vepica leads Texas crude fractionation project
This new facility consists of an atmospheric distillation unit (ADU) designed to process 25,000 BSPD and to provide run products to storage facilities, as well as the utilities required to support the proper and safe operation of the processing systems.
Seasonal demand, output of US refined products hits eight-year high: API
“Demand for and production of oil and refined products grew across the board over the last year,” said API chief economist John Felmy. “In fact, demand for and production of oil and refined products were the highest July in eight years, since 2007.”
Unitel: Weak oil markets boost refining innovation
The underlying objectives are to develop and/or test new catalysts and optimize process parameters to improve profitability in an increasingly challenging environment.
ExxonMobil expands Beaumont refinery’s capacity to process light crudes
ExxonMobil will add flexibility to process light crudes at its Beaumont refinery, increasing production capacity by approximately 20,000 bpd, the company said.
- China's first coal-to-chemicals project with green hydrogen starts commercial operations 11/20
- Norsk e-Fuel and Braskem partner to turn captured carbon into long-lasting products 11/20
- Nigeria's Dangote refinery delays CDU maintenance to end of January 2026 11/20
- Technimont attends ground-breaking ceremony of Tengiz Gas separation Complex in Kazakhstan 11/20
- 42% of U.S. energy/critical infrastructure providers exposed to weaponized AI and email attacks 11/20
- EIA: U.S. crude stocks fall on higher demand, fuel inventories rise 11/20

