Crude oil
Eni crude business in Iran may lead to US sanctions
Eni's daily output in Iran averaged 3,000 bbl of oil equivalent in 2012, representing less than 1% of the company's total production. Eni said its refining and marketing division bought 498,000 metric tons of Iranian crude in 2012, paying the country's state oil company $396 million.
Saudi downplays shale boom outside US, Canada
The extra supply is not a competitive threat because it costs more to produce than oil in most of OPEC's member countries, a Saudi official said. "There are many difficulties that face the production activities of shale oil... most importantly, the high production cost which amounts to about $70 to $80/bbl."
Phillips 66 to build rail-unloading facility for crudes at Washington refinery
The unloading facility would allow a train with 100 or more railcars to pull up at the refinery and have its cargo pumped to existing storage tanks, according to an application filed with the Northwest Clean Air Agency. The unloading facility would be able to transfer about 12,800 bbl of oil per hour.
Shell pipeline spills oil into Houston-area bayou
Shell clean-up crews were working to clear the crude out of Vince Bayou, a waterway that connects to the Houston Ship Channel, which leads into the Gulf of Mexico, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Steven Lehman. The spill was contained but the total amount of oil was still being verified.
China to overtake US as largest oil importer
OPEC, whose members supply more than one in three barrels of crude consumed worldwide, said rising Chinese imports were backed by increased throughput at the country's refineries. The group quoted recent analysis saying China's oil imports could top 6 million bbl this year.
TransCanada eyes East pipeline for Alberta crudes
TransCanada has been mulling the plan publicly for months, amid a growing glut of oil in Western Canada that has depressed prices. The plan involves converting part of an existing gas pipeline, TransCanada's Mainline network, for crude-oil service, and building about 870 miles of new pipeline.
Arkansas officials to probe Exxon pipeline spill
The attorney general's office is investigating the causes of ExxonMobil's ruptured pipeline that spilled thousands of gallons of oil into a small town neighborhood last week.
Evaluate challenges in meeting clean-fuel specifications with heavier crude
At a Saudi Aramco refinery, a revamp was planned for processing a different crude oil blend to meet Euro 5 diesel and gasoline specifications. The refinery, which processes semi-light crude oil, is sc..
Improve coker efficiency with reliable valve automation
The case history discusses conditions occurring in delayed coker operations at two refineries in Louisiana, the impacts on valve performance, and a solution that offers extended life, better reliability and other benefits.
Optimize value from FCC bottoms
Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is one of the most versatile and profitable upgrading processes in a refinery. FCC has maintained its place in the refinery through a series of evolutionary changes to m..

- BASF and Yara end joint project for low-carbon ammonia at U.S. Gulf Coast 8/26
- Saudi Arabia and India were biggest buyers of Russian fuel oil, VGO in July 8/26
- Russia raises August oil export plan after drone strikes continue to disrupt refineries 8/26
- AFPM response to U.S. EPA actions on RFS small refinery waiver backlog 8/25
- Indonesia urges EU to remove biodiesel import curbs after WTO ruling 8/25
- Canada's Alberta eyes investment in Japan's refining to boost oil exports 8/25