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Asia/Pacific

Singapore fuel oil stocks drop despite shrinking exports

SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Singapore weekly onshore fuel oil inventories fell 10%, or 2.462 MMbbl (about 367 Mt), to a two-week low of 22.728 MMbbl (3.392 MMt) in the week ended Jan. 3, data from International Enterprise (IE) Singapore showed on Thursday.

Indonesia to extend biodiesel subsidy to mining sector

JAKARTA (Reuters) — Indonesia’s government plans to expand biodiesel subsidies to cover consumption of palm oil-blended fuels by the mining sector this year as part of ambitious plans to develop the energy source, an energy ministry official said on Thursday.

Taiwan's Formosa petchem plans to run Mailiao refinery near full capacity

SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Taiwan’s Formosa Petrochemical Corp plans to run its 540 Mbpd Mailiao refinery at near full capacity in January and February before cutting runs in March due to scheduled maintenance, its spokesman said on Thursday.

Taiwan releases man on bail in suspected North Korean oil transfer

TAIPEI (Reuters) — A court in Taiwan has released on bail a man prosecutors allege to have made false declarations in the case of a Hong Kong-flagged tanker suspected of transferring oil to North Korea in violation of international sanctions.

Oil hits new two-and-a-half year highs as higher output looms

SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) — Oil prices rose on Wednesday to new two-and-a-half year highs as robust output in the United States and Russia balanced tensions from a sixth day of unrest in OPEC member Iran.

Curacao nixes refinery operation deal with China firm

(Reuters) — The government of Curacao has scrapped a preliminary agreement with China’s Guangdong Zhenrong Energy (GZE) to operate the island's aging Isla refinery, saying the company misrepresented itself and was unable to take on such a large endeavor.

S.Korea Dec exports climb for 14th month, wrap up record 2017

SEOUL (Reuters) — Soaring global demand for memory chips and petrochemicals helped South Korea's exports surge 8.9% in December, lifting its 2017 shipments to the highest on record in value terms.

Oil trades near strongest levels since mid-2015 on Iranian unrest

SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) — Oil prices posted their strongest opening to a year since 2014 on Tuesday, with crude rising to mid-2015 highs amid large anti-government rallies in Iran and ongoing supply cuts led by OPEC and Russia.

S.Korea seizes 2nd ship suspected of providing oil to N.Korea

SEOUL (Reuters) — South Korean authorities have seized a Panama-flagged vessel suspected of transferring oil products to North Korea in violation of international sanctions, a customs official said on Sunday.

Editorial Comment: Biofuels—A viable fuel source for the future?

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> focuses on the use of alternative feedstocks and biofuels. The goal of utilizing these technologies is to produce fuels and products that lower total carbon output/emissions, which is a major focus in decarbonizing economies around the world.