Asia/Pacific
India boosts purchases of West African crude as new refinery starts up
Traders said the startup of the 300,000-bpd Paradip refinery, which started processing oil early in February, encouraged more bookings from West Africa to India.
BASF braces for lower operating profit as Chinese chemical sales slump
Slight profit gains in farming pesticides, and specialty chemicals and plastics, will be overshadowed by considerable declines at its basic petrochemical businesses and at its Wintershall oil and gas division.
China seeks urban ban on high-sulfur diesel sales
The tighter fuel standards are an attempt to tackle air pollution. Emissions from automobiles, especially from diesel-burning trucks, are one of the main contributors to the choking smog in China.
China’s emergence as diesel exporter dampens Asian refining margins
The surge in Chinese shipments has been felt the most in the diesel market, where benchmark Asian margins recently slumped to 6-year lows following an almost 80% jump in Chinese exports.
Woodside’s CEO remains wary on timing, extent of any oil market recovery
The uncertain outlook is deterring Australia's top oil and gas producer from going ahead with its biggest growth project, Browse floating LNG, or from chasing acquisitions.
Asian refiners to cut back on naphtha imports
While the reduced volume has lifted spot prices, a weak gasoline market and cracker maintenance in North Asia in March are capping price gains, traders said.
KBR licenses new alkylation technology in China
K-SAAT is a new technology to produce alkylate, which is an ultra-clean gasoline blendstock. Under the terms of the deal, KBR will deliver the licensing package for this first-of-a-kind project.
Indian refiner Reliance to resume using Iranian oil
The Indian refining conglomerate, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, stopped Iranian oil imports in 2010 because it was worried about the threat of US sanctions.
Rising diesel demand in South Korea cuts exports, could enhance margins
Growing sales of diesel cars and increased use by the freight sector have stoked appetite for the fuel in the country, while subsidies to encourage diesel taxis may provide a further boost this year.
Japan embarks on wave of refining consolidation
With four of its five largest refinery companies set to merge, Japan could be left with only 3.2 million bpd of refining capacity by 2020 and as little as 2.3 million bpd by 2030.
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- KBR to provide technology for mega-scale ammonia plant in Angola 11/25
- Indian refiners' October crude processing up over 3% y/y 11/25
- Air Liquide strengthens partnership with TotalEnergies through renewable H2 project in France 11/25
- Hexagon collaborates with Microsoft to enhance industrial operations 11/25
