The downstream rundown: In case you missed it 3/11
In case you missed any downstream news, this piece will give you a summary of some of the top stories from last week.
Twelve, LanzaTech partner to create ethanol from CO2
Carbon transformation company Twelve and biotechnology company LanzaTech have transformed CO2 emissions into ethanol as a part of an ongoing research and development partnership.
The two companies combined technology capabilities to create ethanol, which is a common alcohol used as fuel, and an ingredient in hand sanitizers, personal care and household cleaning products. Ethanol is typically produced using biological processes or as a petrochemical, through ethylene hydration, using fossil fuels.
Twelve and Lanzatech are eliminating fossil fuels from ethanol production by converting CO2 to CO through Twelve’s carbon transformation technology, and subsequently using LanzaTech’s small Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor to convert CO to ethanol.
TotalEnergies begins producing SAF at its Normandy platform
TotalEnergies' Normandy platform has successfully started production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This new site complements the biojet fuel production capacities of La Mède biorefinery and the Oudalle plant. This move enables TotalEnergies to meet demand from its customers and respond to French legislation, which calls for aircraft to use at least 1% SAF effective January 1, 2022.
TotalEnergies will also produce SAF at its Grandpuits zero-crude platform southeast of Paris starting in 2024. All the biojet fuel, which is destined for French airports, will be produced from waste and residue sourced notably from the circular economy.
Brazil's Bolsonaro wants Petrobras to scrap global fuel parity policy
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro threw his weight behind measures to reduce domestic fuel prices after the conflict in Ukraine sent oil prices to their highest levels since 2008.
In a radio interview, the Brazilian president called for the end of a fuel pricing policy in which state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, which holds about 80% of Brazil's refining capacity, aims for local parity with global prices.
Bolsonaro called rules whereby Petrobras sets local fuel prices based on international energy and currency markets "wrong laws designed a long time ago that cannot continue."
Advanced Petrochemical inks loan agreement with Advanced Polyolefins
Advanced Petrochemical Company announced that Advanced Polyolefins Industry Company has signed a loan agreement with the Saudi Industrial Development Fund for 3 B riyals ($266 MM).
The loan is to finance the construction of propane dehydration and polypropylene plants with the ability to manufacture 843,000 tpy of propylene and 800,000 tpy of polypropylene in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
Lotte Chemical selects Antea inspection data management software
Lotte Chemical has selected Antea’s asset integrity management software to manage their mechanical integrity in Westlake, Louisiana. Lotte required a robust mechanical integrity software with proven inspection data management and risk-based inspection (RBI) capabilities. Antea RBI can comply with API 581 as well as more scenario and event-based risk mitigation specific to a chemical facility.
Yangzhou Huitong Biological New Material to install Sulzer's PLA technology
Sulzer has been awarded by Yangzhou Huitong Biological New Material to supply technology and key equipment for its polylactic acid (PLA) production facility in Jiangsu Province, China. The facility will have a production capacity of 30,000 tpy.
The plant will be able to produce a large portfolio of PLA grades serving a broad range of end-use applications from food packaging to kitchen utensils or toys. Replacing traditional plastics with non-fossil-based plastics directly contributes to an improved carbon footprint.
U.S. bans Russian oil imports
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday banned Russian oil and other energy imports in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine, underscoring strong bipartisan support for a move that he acknowledged would drive up U.S. energy prices.
"We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas energy," Biden told reporters at the White House. "That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable in U.S. ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war machine."
Biden voiced America's support for the Ukrainian people and predicted their ultimate victory.
Belgian chemicals group Solvay suspends Russian operations
Belgian chemicals group Solvay is suspending operations and new investments in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, the company said on Monday. The company will also suspend dividend payments from its RusVinyl JV in Russia with partner Sibur.
The suspension is temporary and will be reviewed in due course, a spokesperson said, adding that the company had put a task force in place to manage the impact of the measures.
Phillips 66 completes Phillips 66 Partners acquisition
Phillips 66 announced the completion of the previously announced merger between Phillips 66 Partners (PSXP) and Phillips 66. The merger resulted in Phillips 66 acquiring all limited partnership interests in PSXP not already owned by Phillips 66 and its affiliates. Partnership unitholders received 0.50 shares of PSX common stock for each outstanding PSXP common unit, including preferred units that were converted into common units at a premium prior to closing.
Eni, Republic of Benin ink deal to develop the agro-industrial chain for biorefining
Eni and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Republic of Benin signs a cooperation agreement to develop joint initiatives on the agro-industrial chain, for biorefining use.
Under the terms of the agreement, the parts will evaluate potential opportunities in the country in the field of agriculture and vegetable raw material to develop oil crops for Eni’s biorefining system. More in details, the cooperation agreement focuses on the low indirect land use change crops identified in areas subject to natural and anthropic degradation, thus valorizing marginal lands while not competing with the food chain.
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