Americas
A new solution to the challenges of crude selection and scheduling
The state-of-the-art approach to solving the crude selection and scheduling problem is to separate the two challenges.
EIA: China diesel exports grow as refining industry, economy change
China is reforming its refining sector by liberalizing import and export restrictions on crude oil and petroleum products, allowing for increased competition in the domestic transportation fuels market.
GlobalData: Planned projects poised to raise global propylene capacity levels
China and the US are the primary drivers for expanded global capacity that is estimated to increase to almost 130 MMtpy by 2020.
New US PE capacity to help meet rising LatAm demand
Latin America's demand for polyethylene is expanding, but the region's existing and planned PE capacity is expected to fall short of demand.
Marathon lays off 46 employees at Galveston Bay refinery
While the company seeks better efficiencies and cost-saving strategies, no announcements of reductions have been made at Marathon's other six refineries.
Exxon shareholder vote could see climate activist join board
Voters at ExxonMobil Corp.'s annual meeting on Wednesday approved a measure to let minority shareholders nominate outsiders for seats on the board, meaning a climate activist could eventually become a director at the world's largest publicly traded oil company.
Qatar's Texas LNG venture eyes exports by 2021
Top LNG exporter Qatar anticipates exports from its Golden Pass JV in Texas to begin in 2021. State-run Qatar Petroleum owns a 70% stake in an LNG receiving terminal in Texas that is backed by Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips.
US specialty chemicals market softens as oilfield usage leads decline
Weakness in oilfield chemicals and mining chemicals weighed on overall volumes. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored, 11 expanded in April, three were flat, and 14 declined.
US chemical production growth stalls: ACC
In April, the US Gulf Coast was the only region to post a small gain. Output declined slightly in the Northeast, and all other regions were flat, according to the latest ACC data.
EPA’s biofuel plan frustrates US refiners, farmers
The increase did not go far enough for the farm lobby and biofuels companies like Poet LLC, which have spent millions to produce advanced biofuels. Meanwhile, oil industry advocates, who have criticized previous targets as unrealistic, renewed calls for an overhaul of the program.

- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4
- Brookfield Infrastructure announces the acquisition of Colonial Enterprises for $9 B 4/4
- PBF restarts some units at Martinez refinery after February fire; fire-damaged units remain shut 4/4
- Japan to curb gasoline prices from June to cushion U.S. tariff blow 4/4
- Evonik presents innovative "Debonding on Demand" concept for more sustainable bonding 4/3
- Oil, gas and refined product imports exempted from Trump’s sweeping tariffs 4/3