Middle East
Oman builds industrial outpost in desert with refinery, petrochemicals
The Duqm Special Economic Zone will include an oil refinery, a petrochemical complex, manufacturing operations and warehousing and logistics facilities.
Kuwait lowers crude, refining production as workers strike
Kuwait reduced its crude oil output and refining production as part of an emergency plan to help the OPEC member deal with the largest oil and gas workers' strike in years.
Saudi Aramco, Sinopec’s Yasref refining venture secures $4.7B loan
Yasref, which operates a 400,000-bpd refinery next to the Red Sea, began working at full capacity last July. In December, bankers told Reuters that Yasref was seeking the loan to replace some cash which Aramco had invested to build it, so that Aramco could use the money elsewhere.
Kuwait’s oil workers to push ahead with strike, reject compromise
The union has not said how long the strike, involving thousands of workers at state-run companies, would last. Workers fear the payroll overhaul would reduce salaries and affect other benefits.
Total sees gas, petrochemicals as priority in Iran
"Gas is our priority for us there, and petrochemicals," Total's CEO Patrick Pouyanné told reporters at an international liquefied natural gas conference.
Union: Kuwait’s oil, gas worker strike remains on course for Sunday
"There are no negotiations between the unions and the government over the strike," Farhan al-Ajmi, head of the Petrochemicals Industries Co. workers union, told Reuters.
Saudi Arabia secures $23B deal to supply refined products to Egypt
Saudi Arabia is to provide Egypt with 700,000 tons/month of petroleum products under a $23-billion deal over five years between Saudi Aramco and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp.
Global chemicals output shows monthly growth
During February, chemical production rose in North America, Western Europe, and Asia-Pacific; was flat in Africa & the Middle East; and fell in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.
Kuwait’s oil, gas workers plan to go on strike
Workers fear reduced salaries, benefits and layoffs will be part of a planned government overhaul of the payroll system in the public sector, according to the union.
Asian refiners turn to Middle East’s heavy crudes over Latin America
Latin American crude sold to Asia fell 1% in the first three months of 2016 from a year ago, while Middle East exports to Asia rose 7% in the first quarter, according to new data.
- U.S. EIA forecasts new export licensing requirements will reduce U.S. ethane exports 6/18
- Nigeria to export first gasoline cargo to Asia from Dangote refinery 6/18
- Indian refiners cancel palm oil orders for July-September as prices surge 6/18
- U.S. set to object to green jet fuel recommendation at UN aviation council 6/18
- Phoenix Contact introduces intrinsic safety versions of the MINI Analog Pro Ex conditioners for hazardous areas 6/18
- EIA: U.S. crude inventories fall by most in a year, fuel stocks build 6/18
