Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Middle East

HP People

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Michael D. Scott has been named an International Society of Automation (ISA) Fellow, a distinguished grade that is granted to ISA senior members in recognition of outstanding achievements in scientific or engineering fields.

Iran targets new investments in refineries abroad

"Buying the oil refineries or their shares abroad is the policy of Iran after the lifting of sanctions," said Abbas Kazemi, head of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co.

Low oil jeopardizes Middle East chemical projects

The recent cancellation of the Al Sajeel and Al Karaana projects in the Middle East, consultant Sanjay Sharma said, are examples of how the oil price slowdown is already impacting specific investments in the region. He expects producers are going to be fairly cautious going forward with new investments.

Honeywell to supply technology, automation for Iraq’s new Karbala refinery

The grassroots refinery will use leading refining processes from UOP and automation controls from Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) to allow the Karbala refinery to maximize production.

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

A sharp drop in the gasoline crack spread following the end of the US driving season and increasing inventories caused refinery margins to fall.

Dow Chemical to reduce role in Kuwait JVs, plans new US Gulf MEG plant

MEGlobal will build a new MEG plant on the US Gulf Coast -- enabling MEGlobal and its parent companies to enjoy growth and drive significant expansion of MEGlobal’s geographic footprint.

Global petrochemical prices fall to six-year lows

Petrochemical prices, expressed as a monthly average, fell $102/ton from August to $786/ton in September. This is the second straight month where the average price has fallen over $100.

Total, Saudi Aramco remain interested in SATORP petrochemicals expansion

A leading Total executive told Reuters that the SATORP expansion would be large and involve capacity increases for linear-alpha olefins, poly-alpha olefins and elastomers.

Improve refinery margins with new crude selection concept

Statoil Refining Denmark: Knudsen, P. U.
Frontline Systems, Inc.: Maleki, S.

A refinery with an active crude selection strategy encompassing dedicated staff, preapproval of all new crudes and an updated crude acceptance window can gain $0.5/bbl–$1/bbl vs. a more passive strategy.

Maintaining gas system accuracy and reliability through calibration

AURA Gas Controls: Dickerson, D.

In the process industries, laser-based analytical techniques have emerged as a popular method of examining process line samples because of their high level of durability, fast response time and minimal maintenance requirements.