Refining
Implement proactive asset management techniques
The drop in crude oil prices since 2014 has impacted both upstream producers and downstream players. Upstream producers—those responsible for exploration, drilling and production—were the first to feel the effects. While refining margins benefitted from the drop in crude oil pricing, they began to suffer when record surpluses of gasoline and diesel flooded the market a year later.
Expand crude diet flexibility through comprehensive oil management
One of the primary means for refiners to boost profitability is to improve crude diet flexibility. Many refiners are challenged with increasing their margins while the quality of the global crude oil supply declines.
Saudi Arabia may raise light crude price to Asia for third straight month in April
(Reuters) -- Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia could raise the price of Arab Light crude it sells to Asia in April for a third straight month after Middle East benchmark Dubai crude strengthened on OPEC cuts, four of seven respondents said in a Reuters survey of refiners and traders on Wednesday.
Enhance reliability of process pumps with lubrication management for antifriction bearings
Rolling bearings must be adequately lubricated to operate reliably and to prevent direct metal-to-metal contact between rolling elements, raceways, cages and other components. The choice of a suitable lubricant and lubrication method, and controlling contaminants, are important for improving the reliability of the machinery where these bearings are used.
Hybrid technique for electroslag strip cladding of critical process equipment
One of the major challenges in the oil and gas processing industry is to strike a balance among handling the changing qualities of petroleum products and byproducts, increasing the productivity and service life of critical components and reducing environmental hazards. As an example, new refineries are moving to applying conversion methods, such as hydrocracking, to increase yields, while also utilizing conventional distillation. This juxtaposition translates into a higher Nelson Index rating. Greater refinery complexity makes processing low-quality crude oil difficult, if not impossible, thereby precluding bottom-of-the-barrel products.
Improve understanding of corrosion inhibitor technology for processing high-acid crudes
For corrosion risk assessment and control, ample published research exists on the inherent corrosivity of combinations of naphthenic acid and sulfur in refining systems, but not on the chemistry and mechanism of corrosion inhibitors. This work offers refinery engineers insight into the construction of corrosion inhibitor molecules, as well as how differences in molecules impact the performance of the inhibitor and the risk of fouling in crude units and hydroprocessing units.
China’s Sinopec to spend $29 B upgrading four refining bases
BEIJING (Reuters) -- China's Sinopec group, parent of Sinopec Corp, will invest $29.05 billion to upgrade four refining bases between 2016 and 2020 to produce higher-quality fuels, the company said in an emailed statement on Thursday.
EIA: Planned refinery outages through first half of 2017 not expected to affect availability
The US Energy Information Administration's (EIA) latest analysis of planned refinery outages during the first half of 2017 finds that such outages are not expected to cause a shortfall in the supply of petroleum products including gasoline, jet fuel, and distillate fuel, relative to expected demand, either nationally or within any US region. This result occurs despite the current high level of US gasoline demand, which in 2016 was as high as or higher than in any past year.
Air Products wins Marathon Petroleum hydrogen supply agreement
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. -- Air Products, an industrial gases company, announced it has been awarded the long-term supply of approximately 30 million standard cubic feet per day of hydrogen by Marathon Petroleum Company LP for its Garyville, Louisiana refinery. This new supply award, to begin in November 2017, is in addition to volumes of hydrogen Air Products already provides Marathon Petroleum at its Garyville refinery.
Nigerian lawmakers to investigate $17-B subsidies received by state oil firm
ABUJA (Reuters) -- Nigeria's upper house of parliament will investigate allegations the state oil company illegally inflated funds it collected from an official subsidy scheme to $17 billion between 2006 and 2015, lawmakers said on Wednesday.
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