Middle East
Fewer tankers transit the Red Sea in 2024
The amount of crude oil and oil products flowing through the Bab el-Mandeb, the southern chokepoint at the mouth of the Red Sea, decreased by more than 50% in the first eight months of 2024.
TotalEnergies expands global LNG bunkering footprint
TotalEnergies has signed a charter contract with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal for a new LNG bunker vessel of 18,600 m3 capacity. This new vessel will expand the Company’s global presence in bunkering hubs.
QatarEnergy signs 20-yr naphtha supply deal with Shell
QatarEnergy has entered into a long-term naphtha supply agreement with Shell, supplying up to 18 MMt of naphtha over 20 years from April 2025.
Iraq's Kerbala refinery non-operational due to maintenance
Iraq's Kerbala refinery is under extensive maintenance and has been non-operational since Sept. 25, knocking out 150,000 bpd of processing capacity.
Borouge partners with Inion Pipes Industry to support circular economy with recycled polyolefins
Borouge Plc., a leading petrochemical company known for its innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions, today announced the signing of an AED20-MM ($5.45-MM) agreement with Union Pipes Industry (UPI), a leading UAE-based manufacturer, to supply UPI with 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) polypropylene that will be used to produce customized pallets for Borouge’s logistics operations.
Abu Dhabi's ADNOC to buy German chemicals firm Covestro for $16 B
Abu Dhabi's ADNOC has struck a deal to buy German chemicals maker Covestro for €14.7 B ($16.3 B), including debt, in the energy giant's biggest ever acquisition.
ABP awards CONSER tech licensing contract for 50,000-tpy maleic anhydride plant in Oman
MAIRE announced that NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions), through its subsidiary CONSER, has been awarded by Al Baleed Petrochemical Company the technology licensing, the process design package and catalyst supply for a 50,000-tpy maleic anhydride plant in the Salalah Free Zone, Oman.
Global refiners face profit slump as new plants come online
Oil refiners in Asia, Europe and the U.S. are facing a drop in profitability to multi-year lows, marking a downturn for an industry that had enjoyed surging returns post-pandemic and underlining the extent of the current slowdown in global demand.
Stamicarbon awarded technology and PDP contracts for urea plant in Egypt
MAIRE announced that NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions), through its subsidiary Stamicarbon, has been awarded the licensing and the process design package for the upgrade and expansion of El Delta Company for Fertilizer and Chemical Industries’ urea plant in Talkha, Egypt.
Aramco signs agreements with Rongsheng and Hengli Group
Aramco has signed a Development Framework Agreement with Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. and a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Hengli Group. This agreements focus on the possible expansion of Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (SASREF) facilities and the possible acquisition of a 10% stake in Hengli Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
- Petrobras delivers LPG sold at steep premiums despite Lula move to annul auction 4/3
- Plug Power to supply 275-MW GenEco electrolyzer system for Hy2gen’s Courant decarbonized ammonium nitrate project 4/3
- Vietnam refinery boosting jet fuel production 4/3
- China plans to upgrade some petrochemical plants, phase out others by 2029 4/3
- Morocco has diesel stocks for 51 days, energy ministry says 4/3
- Nigeria's Seplat Energy hit by strike amid push for higher output 4/3
