Octane
US refining margins improve, but some refineries remain at risk
During the fourth quarter of 2010, US refining industry performance improved relative to the prior quarter. While the US Gulf Coast crack spreads were somewhat lower in the fourth quarter, the light-heavy crude oil price differential (LLS-Maya) continued to favor refineries with heavier crude slates.
Mubarak exits stage right
What will this mean for IOCs doing business in the region?
BP wants to sell two US refineries
BP announced today that it is looking to sell two of its US refineries. The company has officially put a “for sale” sign in front of its refineries in Texas City, Texas, and Carson, California.
BP says emerging economies will lead energy growth to 2030
World energy growth over the next 20 years is expected to be dominated by emerging economies such as China, India, Russia and Brazil while improvements in energy efficiency measures are set to accelerate, according to BP’s latest projection of energy trends, the BP Energy Outlook 2030.
NPRA says EPA decision on E15 could hurt consumers
Charles T. Drevna, president of NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, issued the following statement in response to the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency today approving a 50 percent increase in the amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline used by cars and light trucks manufactured in the 2001-2006 model years.
Eurecat building catalyst processing plant in India
Eurecat SA is building a new, world class catalyst processing plant in India, to be located in the Jhagadiya Industrial Estate, Bharuch District, Gujarat State.
ASTM Petroleum Committee working on ETBE test method
The eventual approval of a proposed new test method currently being developed by ASTM International Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants will allow a recently approved D02 specification to attain full compliance with form and style for ASTM standards.
Merichem introduces product to sweeten mercaptans in jet fuel
Merichem has launched MERICAT J, a next-generation technology to remove heavy mercaptans in jet fuel, kerosene and other middle distillate streams.
Puma Energy buys BP’s Southern African fuel marketing businesses
Puma Energy has signed a deal to acquire BP’s fuel marketing businesses in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Puma Energy has also agreed to buy BP’s 50% interest in each of BP Malawi and BP Tanzania, subject to the pre-emption rights of BP’s co-shareholders (Press Corp. Ltd. in Malawi and the Government of Tanzania in Tanzania).
Cobalt Technologies and US Navy to develop military jet fuel
Cobalt Technologies has an agreement with the US Navy to develop technology for the conversion of biobutanol into full performance jet and diesel fuels.
- Consortium launches study to create a consolidated hub for recycled plastics 5/22
- Eni strengthens its global LNG strategy with long-term supply agreements in Indonesia 5/22
- Breakthrough shows how electricity could replace heat to turn CO₂ into useful chemicals 5/22
- bp's Whiting Refinery offers revised proposal to union in ongoing talks 5/22
- Plains oil pipeline partly shut down after rupture in East Los Angeles (U.S.), could disrupt supplies to refineries 5/22
- Vitol moves to open Mexico fuel terminal years after bribery scandal 5/22
