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Refining

Lukoil acquires larger stake in Sicily ISAB refinery from Italian partner ERG

The sale was for €485 million, excluding inventory. Lukoil and ERG agreed to the ISAB venture in 2008, under which the Sicily-based refinery has a capacity of roughly 320,000 bpd. Lukoil now owns 80% of the venture.

BNSF expands Bakken US oil rail capacity by 25%

The expansion will help oil producers move their oil to market. The boom in domestic crude production has caused a parallel increase in railway use. Tesoro, Phillips 66 and Statoil have all purchased rail cars - and in Tesoro's case, built rail lines - to move oil from increasingly productive US fields.

Sinopec forms new engineering company in Beijing for refining, petrochemicals

Sinopec Group, the parent of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., or Sinopec, says the unit has the capacity to handle over 20 large engineering, procurement and construction projects simultaneously.

Valero to convert idled Aruba refinery to terminal

Terminal activities will require a considerably smaller workforce, according to the company. The reorganization and reduction in jobs is expected to be complete before the end of 2012. Valero will continue to supply jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil to Aruba, according to CEO Bill Klesse.

Maximize diesel production in an FCC-centered refinery, Part 1

For refineries with an FCC unit as the main conversion vehicle, the debate is how existing refinery assets can best be used to economically increase diesel production.

Redefining reforming catalyst performance: High selectivity and stability

Axens: Le Goff, P.-Y.  |  Lopez, J.
Axens North America: Ross, J.

Highly developed CCR catalysts are more robust to ensure extended service over 7–9 years.

Upgrade heavy oil more cost-efficiently

Ivanhoe Energy: Cabrera, C. A.  |  Silverman, M. A.

A new technology can economically upgrade and significantly improve the properties of heavy oil by reducing viscosity, increasing gravity and removing contaminants.

CO2 capture from SMRs: A demonstration project

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: Baade, W. F.  |  Farnand, S.  |  Hutchison, R.  |  Welch, K.

Technical and economic results from this project will be key in determining the most effective path to commercialization.

Increase FCC processing flexibility by improved catalyst recycling methods

UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company: Wolschlag, L. M.
UOP LLC, a Honeywell Co.: Lippmann, M.

The dynamic global refining market emphasizes the need for greater operating flexibility in the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit.

Bio-isobutanol: The next-generation biofuel

Wood Group Mustang: Kolodziej, R.
Gevo Inc.: Scheib, J.

This article highlights the technology, feedstocks and market growth opportunities for isobutanol, with a focus on potential new market offerings in the very near future.