Refining
Mexico to fine Pemex for monopolizing diesel, gasoline distribution
Antitrust commissioners voted 3-2 that Pemex's legal monopoly over the production and sale of motor fuels doesn't extend to distribution of the fuel, and that it can't force gas station owners to use its distribution network. The regulatory body gave Pemex 30 business days to present a plan for compliance.
Iraq seeks consultant to manage Nassiriya oil, refining project
The December auction is scheduled to include firms such as France's Total, Russia's Lukoil, India's Reliance Industries and ONGC Videsh and several from Japan. The ministry gave no details on the cost.
Gevo opens renewable paraxylene plant in Texas
The paraxylene facility is located adjacent to Gevo's existing jet fuel plant in Silsbee, Texas, and establishes the site as a biorefinery serving the renewable chemicals and true drop-in biofuels markets.
India's Hindustan shuts portion of Visakhapatnam refinery following fatal fire
Television news channel NDTV said a person was killed and 10 others were injured in the fire at the refinery in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. The company has shut the refinery as a precautionary step and it is too early to estimate the loss from the fire, according to Hindustan officials.
US fuels demand surges to three-year high in July
US demand for distillate fuel, the umbrella group for diesel fuel and heating oil, rose 8% from a year earlier, to 3.835 million bpd, a six-year high for July. Within that figure, demand for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, used to power trucks and trains, was 9.1% higher at 3.661 million bpd.
India signs energy cooperation deal with Iraq for refining, oil exploration
Iraq is eager to boost oil supplies to India, one of the largest oil consumers, in the face of shrinking demand from the US, which has been getting more of its oil and gas from domestic shale deposits.
India sees 5% increase in monthly refining output
Indian refineries processed 19.15 million metric tons, or 4.53 million bpd, of crude compared with 18.21 million tons in June. The July throughput beat the government's target of 18.74 million tons.
Celanese, PetroChina to collaborate in China on synthetic fuel ethanol
Under this arrangement, Celanese and PetroChina will collaborate to jointly develop synthetic fuel ethanol opportunities in China utilizing Celanese’s proprietary TCX ethanol process technology.
Honeywell to supply control systems for Antipinsky refinery upgrade in Russia
Deploying Experion PKS is part of an initiative to create a single, central operations center at the Antipinsky refinery. As an additional part of this initiative, Honeywell will supply up to 60 additional workstations to the refinery, which will be installed in the unified refinery control center.
Clashes erupt at oil terminals in Eastern Libya
The closure of Libya's key oil ports by striking guards and workers, which has more than halved the country's oil production in recent weeks, has helped push oil prices higher, in addition to the Egypt crisis.

- Argentina raises biofuel prices for domestic market 7/14
- Technip Energies' develops low-emission furnace design to reduce the carbon footprint of ethylene production 7/14
- Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of U.S. soyoil production next year, USDA says 7/14
- Russia's June seaborne oil product exports down 3.4% m/m 7/14
- Serbia seeks fifth U.S. sanctions waiver for Russian-owned oil firm NIS 7/14
- EIA: U.S. hydrocarbon production supported by export growth in long-term projections 7/14