Asia/Pacific
Hyundai Cosmo opens new Korea paraxylene plant
With the plant's annual output of 800,000 metric tons of paraxylene and 120,000 tons of benzene, the two companies aim to grab a sizeable chunk of Asia's growing petrochemical market. Hyundai Cosmo Petrochemical (HCP) is a 50-50 venture between Japan’s Cosmo Oil and South Korea’s Hyundai Oilbank.
PTT aims to join Pertamina Indonesia refinery study
After Pertamina chooses its partner, the study will be conducted to determine production capacity, investment details, and a timeframe, said Pailin Chuchottaworn, chief executive of PTT. PTT sees investment opportunities in Indonesia's energy sector given its huge population and potential demand.
BP outlook shows North America shale oil boom putting pressure on OPEC
BP's forecasts illustrate the extent to which the North American boom, first in shale gas production and now in shale oil, has redrawn the global energy map. However, the company doesn't expect the shale revolution to spread by 2030 on any great scale to Asia or Europe.
Idemitsu, partners approve $9bn Vietnam refinery
The joint venture partners on Tuesday signed a preliminary agreement with an international consortium to build the $9 billion Nghi Son refinery after securing part of around $5 billion in bank loans and agreeing to final terms with the Vietnamese government, an Idemitsu official said.
Jacobs wins engineering work for new Reliance cracker complex in India
The engineering work under this contract is for the construction of offsites and utilities facilities, according to Jacobs officials. Officials did not disclose the contract value. The new cracker complex is part of a major expansion of Reliance’s petrochemical capacities at Jamnagar and other sites in India.
Gazprom, Novatek target more Asia LNG shipments
Russian gas giants Gazprom and Novatek recently agreed to construct LNG terminals on the Yamal Peninsula.
Forecast: 1 million new NG-fueled vehicles to hit global roads by 2019
Pike Research recently issued a forecast calling for the sale of nearly 1 million new natural gas-fueled trucks and buses on roads worldwide between 2012 and 2019.
Chevron sees weaker US, global refining margins
During the first two months of the fourth quarter, US refinery crude-input volumes decreased by 77,000 bpd compared to the third quarter, driven primarily by the continued shutdown of the Richmond, California refinery crude unit. International refinery crude-input volumes increased 9,000 bpd.
South Korean refining margins boosted by exports
For the January-March period, South Korean refining margins are expected to recover on the back of "rises in [global] kerosene and diesel oil prices amid expanding demand for heating oil" and an "upswing in the chemical business," Hyundai Securities said in a research note.
China to boost LNG imports to meet winter demand
The National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planning body, called on energy companies last week to ensure supplies and maximum output to cope with winter demand. China imports LNG primarily from Qatar, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
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