Economics
HP Automation Safety: MTTR: Reality vs. calculation
Many reliability engineers trained before IEC 61508 know the acronym MTTR as “mean time to repair.” I certainly learned that definition. Naturally, I think of the time it takes to repair som..
HP Industry Perspectives: Is it too early to be optimistic for 2014?
The increased availability of natural gas supplies are redefining energy conditions. New natural gas reserves are shifting the order for producing nations. Shale gas reserves, once difficult to extrac..
HP Brief
LNG terminal to be built in Uruguay GDF Suez has signed a 15-year contract with Gas Sayago for LNG storage and regasification services in Uruguay. Commercial operation of the new terminal is expected ..
HP Impact: Unconventional oil and gas to boost US trade position
The economic and employment contributions from US unconventional oil and gas production are now being felt throughout the US economy, increasing household incomes, boosting trade and contributing to a..
Case history: Sasol’s optimization of the catalyst regeneration process for C5 isomerization
Advanced process control (APC) offers solutions to use full catalyst regenerator capacity safely and to generate substantial benefits. Significant yield increases and operating cost reductions can be ..
Use APC in energy systems―Total’s Leuna refinery case study
Advanced Process Control (APC) has been used extensively to assist in operating refinery and petrochemical processes safely and profitably. However, with the constantly increasing fuel and environment..
Improve inline blending with advanced analyzers
Due to tough economic conditions, refiners are pressed to improve profitability. There is greater pressure to optimize gasoline and diesel blending. What are the options to improve processing of trans..
Consider GTL as an economic alternative for stranded natural gas and ethane
The market price for ethane is well below historical values, and projections indicate that this condition will persist. What are the options to find economical applications for gas and related hydrocarbons?
HP Reliability: Why users must update design contractors’ understanding
In early 2012, a rotating equipment engineer was involved in a machinery quality assessment (MQA).1 Located halfway around the globe, this engineer’s new job was to oversee the engineering, procu..
HP Integration Strategies: Could remanufactured control components place HPI plants at risk?
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) must address a number of potentially catastrophic safety issues. One issue, in particular, is the growing use of remanufactured equipment and components from ..

- Aster Chemicals declares force majeure at Singapore naphtha cracker 8/29
- Orlen signs 1-yr deal with Equinor for supply of 15% oil it uses 8/29
- Novatek partially resumed processing at Ust-Luga complex 8/29
- Phillips 66 to begin winding down Los Angeles-area refinery next week 8/29
- Update: Mexico's Minatitlan refinery back online, Olmeca still down 8/29
- SIBUR produces test batch of first hexane plant in Russia 8/28