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Americas

U.S. manufacturing slowdown fails to rebuild diesel stocks

U.S. manufacturers reported another decline in activity in July 2023, but industrial electricity and especially diesel consumption have declined less than expected in recent months, explaining why prices remain relatively firm.

Exxon Baytown, Texas, refinery resumes normal operations

ExxonMobil's 564,440 bpd Baytown, Texas, refinery resumed normal operations, company spokesperson Lauren Kight said, following a malfunction on a unit that triggered the plant's safety flare.

Nutrien to pause potash ramp up, ammonia project on falling prices

Nutrien decided to indefinitely pause its ramp-up plans for potash production and halt work on its clean ammonia project at Geismar, Louisiana, as the world's biggest fertilizer producer grapples with falling prices.

Phillips 66 plans to run refineries at mid-90% of combined capacity in Q3

Independent U.S. refiner Phillips 66 plans to run its refineries in the mid-90% range of their combined crude oil throughput capacity of 1.9 million bpd in the third quarter of 2023, Chief Financial Officer Kevin Mitchell said.

Biden administration split over ethanol's role in aviation fuel subsidy program

The Biden administration is divided over whether to grant a request from the U.S. biofuel industry that would make it easier for sustainable aviation fuel made from corn-based ethanol to qualify for subsidies under the White House's signature climate law.

Technip Energies and Enerkem join forces on biofuels and circular chemicals technology deployment

Technip Energies and Enerkem Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a Collaboration Agreement aimed at accelerating the deployment of Enerkem’s technology platform for biofuels and circular chemical products from non-recyclable waste materials.

HFC detection using optical gas imaging increases safety/efficiency while reducing emissions

Teledyne FLIR: O’Neill, C.
Contributing Author: Chochran, R. A.

The use of optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras has benefited the oil and gas industry greatly by improving worker safety and plant efficiency while reducing emissions; however, the technology has yet to gain a similar foothold in the petrochemical industry, despite offering similar advantages.

Global Project Data

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database is tracking nearly 1,050 active projects in the HPI.

ART launches catalyst system to produce renewable diesel, SAF from 100% renewable sources

Advanced Refining Technologies LLC, a joint venture of Chevron and specialty chemicals leader W. R. Grace & Co., launched ENDEAVORTM, a hydroprocessing catalyst solution to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from 100% renewable sources, such as vegetable oils, refined oils, animal fats, and greases.

U.S. proposes raising vehicle fuel economy standards to 58 miles per gallon by 2032

The Biden administration proposed to hike fuel economy standards by 2032 to a fleet-wide average of 58 miles per gallon as it seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce fuel use.