Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Crude oil

China’s Sinopec, Kuwait Petroleum to begin building $9 billion refining complex in Q1 2012

China’s top refiner Sinopec and state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) will begin construction of their $9 billion joint venture refining and petrochemical complex in China during the 2012 first quarter, reports said on Monday.

US petroleum demand rises in April as distillate gains offset lower gasoline use - API

A strong increase in distillate fuel demand this April over a year ago drove an overall rise in petroleum product demand, offsetting a decline in gasoline demand, the American Petroleum Institute (API) trade group said on Friday.

IEA warns that high oil prices are hurting economy, seeks additional supply for refiners

The governing board of the International Energy Agency (IEA) says it has serious concerns that that the rise in oil prices is constraining the global economic recovery. In a statement issued on Thursday, the board said there was a “clear, urgent need for additional supplies on a more competitive basis to be made available to refiners to prevent a further tightening of the market”, particularly given the seasonal increase in demand from May to August.

Fuel prices unlikely to deter Memorial Day travel – US auto group

The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the approaching Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight increase of 0.2% – or 100,000 travelers – from the 34.8 million people who traveled one year ago.

US Senate blocks two oil bills as Democrats, GOP clash over gas prices

Two oil-related bills were blocked this week in the US Senate along partisan lines, as Democrats and Republicans continue to propose differing solutions to reduce retail fuel prices.

CB&I wins $50mn Canadian oil sands project

Engineering and construction firm CB&I said on Wednesday that it won a $50mn project to build storage tanks at a Canadian oil sands project near Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Motiva picks KBR to build coker for refinery expansion in Port Arthur, Texas

KBR announced that its subsidiary Roberts & Schaefer (R&S) has been selected to construct a petroleum coker (pet coke) material handling system for Motiva’s refinery expansion project in Port Arthur, Texas.

Plains to build 300,000 bpd pipeline from Eagle Ford shale to Corpus Christi

Plains All American Pipeline plans to build a 130-mile, 300,000 bpd crude oil and condensate pipeline, a marine terminal facility and 1.5mn bbl of storage capacity to service growing Eagle Ford shale production in south Texas.

US refiner Sunoco acquires controlling interest in Ohio refined products pipeline

US refiner Sunoco has acquired a controlling interest in Inland Corp., a firm which consists of an active 350-mile refined products pipeline and related facilities in Ohio that service multiple Ohio refineries and terminal markets.

Eni starts slurry technology project at Italy refinery

Italian oil and gas major Eni started work on applying Eni Slurry Technology (EST) at its Sannazzaro de' Burgondi refinery, located near Pavia in northern Italy.