Economics
Executive Viewpoint: A vision for the refinery of 2030
The refining business needs to change dramatically over the next decade.
Africa: Financing Africa’s petrochemical projects
The financing of Africa’s petrochemicals industry expansion remains a key issue for a continent on which governments and the private sector are grappling with an infrastructure financing deficit of $130 B–$170 B, despite some investors having found options to fund their petrochemical projects.
Editorial Comment: Sustainability: The latest creation in advancing ideas
Over the past few months, Hydrocarbon Processing’s editorial staff has traveled thousands of miles to attend numerous conferences, events, users’ groups, groundbreakings, etc.
Digital: Cloud-based dynamic simulation models amplify operator training and safety programs
International oil and gas (O&G) and hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) companies are under great pressure to be profitable.
Viewpoint: Downstream expansions will accelerate needed production growth
Two transformative drivers—global economic growth averaging more than 3%/yr and the world population expanding to more than 9 B by 2040—will have the net effect of adding another India and China to today’s global energy demand.
Asia: Japanese refining moves towards consolidation and increased efficiency
According to recent statements of leading Japanese analysts in the field of refining and the country’s largest producers, the Japanese refining industry is moving towards consolidation and an increase in efficiency.
Editorial Comment: Where some see roadblocks, we see opportunities
In the January issue of Hydrocarbon Processing, the editorial comment focused on the roadmap to advancing ideas.
Business Trends: How plastics waste recycling could transform the chemical industry
If plastics demand follows its current trajectory, global plastics-waste volumes would grow from 260 MMtpy in 2016 to 460 MMtpy by 2030, taking what is already a serious environmental problem to a new level.
Industry Metrics
All main US products performed positively as refinery product outputs declined considerably and led to a fall in inventory levels, fueling bullish sentiment.
FCC operational changes to boost gasoline octane
The fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is one of the main units providing gasoline with high-octane numbers to the refinery gasoline pool.

- 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