Americas
Gas, NGL feedstock supply to remain robust for US chemical producers: Fitch
Despite a drop in oil prices, supply is expected to remain robust. Natural gas and NGL prices are expected to get some demand uplift from rebased manufacturing capacity, chemical cracker expansions, and coal power plant retirements, but this will not offset productivity gains in shale.
Natgasoline picks Yokogawa control systems for big Texas methanol project
Currently under construction in Beaumont, Texas, this facility will have a capacity of 1.75 MMtpy when it starts production in 2017, making it one of the world’s largest methanol plants.
Poll: Ethanol mandate in fuels worries US voters
“Across the political spectrum, voters are concerned about the significant damage the RFS-mandated higher ethanol blends could cause to automobiles, motorcycles and almost every type of gasoline powered engine,” said Bob Greco, group director of downstream and industry operations at the API.
US fuel exports rise as record refinery production exceeds local demand
US production of all four major products -- gasoline, distillate, jet fuel and residual fuels -- was higher than deliveries for those products, so refined products were exported, the API explained.
BP to market sale of Decatur petrochemicals complex in Alabama
BP says its refocused petrochemicals strategy is to pursue a competitively-advantaged portfolio through world-scale, low-cost facilities that utilize BP's proprietary technology.
Chemours sells Texas aniline site to Dow Chemical
Chemours announced Thursday that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas, to Dow Chemical for approximately $140 million in cash.
Pemex awards EPC work to ICA Fluor to upgrade Tula refinery at Hidalgo
Once the upgrade is completed, the refinery’s processing capacity will increase from 315,000 bpd to 340,000 bpd. The project’s mechanical completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2018.
Sasol seeks more workers in Louisiana for $8.9B ethane cracker project
Sasol says there are job opportunities available in both the operational and construction phases of the project. Of the more than 500 full-time, Sasol positions to operate the new ethane cracker and derivative units, Sasol has hired more than 200 thus far.
Valero shuts FCCU at Port Arthur refinery in Texas following weekend fire
The fire stemmed from a hole in the FCCU's fractionator, Reuters reported, citing company sources. The time needed to repair and return the unit to normal operations was unknown.
Aramco Services opens US fuels research center in Detroit
Research areas emphasized at Saudi Aramco’s new Detroit R&D center include fuel combustion and emissions, technology integration and recent strategic transport studies.
- Pemex to invest $5 B to revive petrochemicals and fertilizer industries 6/8
- Aramco selects McDermott for project management consultancy long-term agreement 6/8
- Celanese to optimize engineered materials compounding footprint in Asia region 6/8
- Uniper and Canada’s Ksi Lisims LNG sign Letter of Interest for LNG supply 6/8
- Consortium highlights progress in synthetic kerosene, and the gap to large-scale availability 6/8
- Xylem to provide advanced water systems to Dow's Path2Zero project 6/8
