Refining
IEA predicts sharp rise in global refining production
Refiners are poised to ramp up production after seasonal spring maintenance and expected stronger demand for oil products through the summer, the IEA says. Fuel demand traditionally picks up in the northern hemisphere summer but especially in the US, the world's largest oil consumer.
Qatar looks to buy stakes in oil giants Shell, Eni
Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, continuing its recent splurge on overseas assets, is eyeing stakes in Anglo-Dutch energy group Royal Dutch Shell and Italy's Eni. Qatar is in "very advanced talks" to buy 3-5% of Shell, a major investor in Qatar, and a 3% stake in Italian oil giant Eni.
OPEC boosts group oil production to highest level since '08 recession
Acting to dampen market nervousness amid Iran supply fears, OPEC on Thursday said it was pumping more oil than the market needs - at levels not seen since summer 2008 - and signaled demand destruction had been halted for now. Crude production was up 317,000 bpd month on month.
Petroplus finds buyer for Swiss refinery in Cressier
Varo Holding SA, the joint venture between oil trader Vitol and AtlasInvest, has agreed to buy the 68,000 bpd Cressier refinery in Switzerland from beleaguered Swiss refiner Petroplus. Varo intends to restart the refinery and continue refining operations. The deal is expected to close in the 2012 second quarter.
PetroChina eyes idled Valero refinery in Aruba
PetroChina is reportedly in talks to buy the 235,000 bpd refinery for $350 million. After a January restart, Valero suspended operations in March, citing poor economics.
TransCanada to start building Keystone oil terminal
TransCanada said Wednesday that it successfully concluded an open season for the Keystone Hardisty terminal project. Based on the commitments, the company is expanding the proposed 2 million bbl of crude oil batch accumulation tankage and pipeline infrastructure to a 2.6 million bbl terminal.
Petroplex to build major Louisiana liquids terminal
Petroplex International says it has raised capital to move forward with plans to build a $600 million bulk liquid terminal in St. James Parish, Louisiana, with a projected initial storage capacity of 4 to 6 million bbl. Construction is expected to commence during the first half of 2013, with start up in 2014.
Exxon restarts part of Louisiana pipeline after spill
ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. has restarted part of its North Line oil pipeline in Louisiana, which was shut down April 28 because of a leak, Reuters reported Monday citing a spokeswoman. The stretch of North Line affected by the leak, northwest of Baton Rouge, remained shut, according to the company.
UOP licenses 'green' diesel production technology to US transport fuels firm
Honeywell’s UOP has agreed to license technology to Emerald Biofuels to produce the company’s Green Diesel at a facility in Louisiana. Chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel, Honeywell’s Green Diesel can be used in any proportion in existing fuel tanks without infrastructure changes.
HollyFrontier CEO says US fuel markets are healthy
HollyFrontier expects to increase its refining rate by 3% in the second quarter after finishing refinery maintenance at the beginning the year. Despite forecasts of a lackluster fuel demand amid a sluggish economy, HollyFrontier has seen solid fuels sales in its home region, its CEO said.
- U.S. firms to develop Syria energy masterplan after Trump lifts sanctions 7/18
- Russian seaborne diesel exports for July 1–15 fall 6% month-on-month 7/18
- INEOS invests £30 MM to slash emissions at Hull site by 75% 7/18
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group invests in Licella Holdings, oil conversion technology using supercritical water 7/18
- BASF and Equinor sign 10-yr natural gas supply agreement 7/18
- Oil prices rise after new EU sanctions on Russia 7/18
