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Crude oil

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Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Record low temperatures in the eastern US strengthened the diesel market but extended the downward trend in refining margins.

Eliminate mechanical seal failure in a crude distillation unit

Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (YASREF) Ltd.: Telmesani, A. A.

Multiple mechanical seal failures in a crude distillation unit (CDU) resulted in total losses of $3 MM in a refinery since its startup in January 2015. The maximum seal life achieved did not exceed 6 mos, which was much shorter than the American Petroleum Institute (API) 682 “Advancements in Mechanical Sealing” goal of 3 yr of seal life.

Oil shipments from Georgia's Batumi port fall by more than a third in 2017

TBILISI (Reuters) — Oil and related shipments from Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi fell 37.6% in 2017, a senior official at the terminal, operated by Kazakh KazMunaiGas , said on Friday.

Japan's Idemitsu, Showa Shell to combine crude loading programs

TOKYO (Reuters) — Japanese oil refiners Idemitsu Kosan and Showa Shell Sekiyu have started work to integrate the so-called loading programs through which they purchase crude, Idemitsu's CEO said.

China says will limit oil, refined product exports to N.Korea

BEIJING (Reuters) — China's Commerce Ministry said on Friday it will limit exports of crude oil, refined oil products, steel and other metals to North Korea, in line with tough new sanctions imposed by the United Nations for Pyongyang's missile tests.

Tallgrass Energy announces crude oil terminal acquisitions, developments at Pony Express

LEAWOOD, Kan. — Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP announced two strategic acquisitions by its Tallgrass Terminals business and several significant commercial developments that continue to expand the variety of services offered by Pony Express in key crude oil producing basins it serves.

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.

EIA: Crude oil prices increased in 2017, Brent-WTI spread widened

Crude oil prices ended 2017 at $60/bbl, the highest end-of-year price since 2013. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices averaged $51/bbl in 2017, up $7/bbl from the 2016 average, and ended the year $6/bbl higher than at the end of 2016.

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.

Brazil 2017 oil exports up 25% over prior year

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) — Brazilian oil exports rose nearly 25% to 51.96 MMt in 2017 compared with the prior year, Brazilian government data showed on Tuesday.