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Construction

Judge denies tribes' request to block final link in Dakota pipeline

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A US federal judge on Monday denied a request by Native American tribes seeking to halt construction of the final link in the Dakota Access Pipeline, the controversial project that has sparked months of protests by activists aimed at stopping the 1,170-mile line.

Global Project Data

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database, new project announcements have averaged 11 per month since mid-2016.

Business Trends: Anticipated market and pricing impacts from new marine fuel regulations

EnSys Energy: Tallett, M.  |  Witmer, T.  |  Dunbar, D.
Navigistics Consulting: St. Amand, D.

In October 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that it will implement a new regulation that calls for the sulfur content in marine fuels to be reduced from 3.5% to 0.5%. The new regulation will go into effect in January 2020. This action by the IMO will have a profound impact on the maritime and refining industries worldwide, as well as on the environment. This month’s Business Trends section provides an overview on the anticipated impacts of the IMO’s decision on petroleum product markets.

Industry Perspectives: Global desulfurization capacity to skyrocket over the long term

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

According to OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2016, desulfurization capacity additions represent the largest capacity increases among all process units to 2040. This trend is due to increased regulations on the amount of sulfur allowed in transportation fuels.

Global: Is India ready for the BS-6 changeover?

Contributing Writer: Kanwar, R.

India is the seventh-largest country in the world by land mass. Urbanization is taking place at a rapid pace: According to the country’s 2011 census, more than 377 MM Indians live in nearly 8,000 towns and cities. This count represents more than 31% of the country’s total population.

Automation Strategies: Next-gen automation services support operational excellence and reduce project cost

ARC Advisory Group: O'Brien, L.

Major suppliers are expanding their automation-related service capabilities from project and engineering services through services for operations and maintenance. This is happening partly in response to overall automation market conditions, but largely in response to evolving user challenges and requirements.

Editorial Comment: The future of refining lies in clean fuels

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Each year, <sub>Hydrocarbon Processing</sub> devotes an issue to the topic of clean fuels—and rightly so. As the world continues to welcome more vehicles on the road, and as emerging economies invest in civil, industrial and energy projects, global fuels demand is forecast to increase through the end of the decade.

Design operations-and-maintenance-friendly skid-mounted units

The Augustus Group: Murti, D. G.

Skid-mounted units are omnipresent in the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI), as facilities are scattered in remote locations, and site construction is time-consuming and expensive. Skid units are equally popular in downstream refineries and the chemical processing industry (CPI).

Performance testing: The key to successful revamps

Process Improvement Engineering: Lieberman, N.

Process unit revamps often do not result in a refiner achieving its desired objectives. This is typically not the result of mechanical defects with process equipment.

Army Corps of Engineers to give easement to Dakota Access Pipeline

(Reuters) -- The Army Corps of Engineers will proceed with the easement needed to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline, US Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota said in a statement on Tuesday.