Refining
IEA says Middle East oil producers are increasingly accepting renewables
Many Gulf countries have made ambitious plans for increasing the share that renewables play in their energy mix. Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia has said it will adopt a renewable energy program at the start of 2013 while Kuwait said in December that it aims to produce 15% of its energy from renewables by 2030.
Pacific Ethanol eyes yield-enhancing ethanol technology at US plant
Pacific Ethanol Inc. will implement yield-enhancing technology at its Stockton, California ethanol plant. The company has awarded Edeniq, a biomaterials and sustainable fuels developer, with a contract for Edeniq's Cellunators technology to boost ethanol yields by increasing available starch for conversion.
Delek buys North Texas biodiesel plant from EQM
The biodiesel facility has a production capacity of 12 million gal/year. Delek said it intends to spend approximately $3.0 million in capital expenditures during 2013 to improve the feedstock flexibility. At present, the facility produces biodiesel exclusively for Delek under a tolling agreement.
US shale boom to spur manufacturing growth, but not energy independence
The US currently imports approximately half its daily consumption of 19 million bpd of oil and remains both the largest importer and consumer of oil. Conservation and the shale revolution would not eliminate upward pressure on prices from rising emerging market demand.
Saudi Arabia slashes oil production in December
As demand for crude from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries falls this year, the Saudi cut shows that the kingdom, "still wants to have, and does have, the role as the swing producer in the market," said Thina Saltvedt, a senior oil market analyst at Nordea Bank Norge.
Chevron sees weaker US, global refining margins
During the first two months of the fourth quarter, US refinery crude-input volumes decreased by 77,000 bpd compared to the third quarter, driven primarily by the continued shutdown of the Richmond, California refinery crude unit. International refinery crude-input volumes increased 9,000 bpd.
Tesoro to convert Hawaii refinery to import terminal
Tesoro had been trying to sell the 94,000 bpd refinery since January 2012 because of eroding profit margins. The conversion to an import facility, expected to occur in April, will allow Tesoro to cut costs related to processing fuel there while still allowing the company to distribute fuel in the state.
South Korean refining margins boosted by exports
For the January-March period, South Korean refining margins are expected to recover on the back of "rises in [global] kerosene and diesel oil prices amid expanding demand for heating oil" and an "upswing in the chemical business," Hyundai Securities said in a research note.
Phillips 66 signs oil-by-rail contract for Bayway refinery in New Jersey
The contract with Global Partners also cements North Dakota crude's hold in the East Coast refining belt, where two other refiners already get Bakken crude by rail.
Eni reports Gela refinery working normally again after port suspension
Port authorities Friday authorised a new tugboat to start work in Gela after a suspension had meant that ships couldn't service the refinery for days, which would have eventually resulted in a stoppage at the plant. The Gela refinery has a daily production of about 100,000 bbl of oil.
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- KBR wins FEED contract for KEPPT’s fertilizer facility in Iraq 7/17
- EIA: U.S. crude stockpiles fall as exports rise; fuel demand drops 7/17
- Uruguay SAF project gains momentum with Velocys Onboard as FT licensor 7/17
- Targray teams up with SABA to streamline SAF procurement 7/17
- Moeve and Zaffra sign Memorandum of Understanding to develop eSAF facilities in Spain 7/17
