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

Middle East

Saudi Aramco CEO eyes downstream conversion

The diversification would be underpinned by a widespread and rapid domestic expansion of small to medium enterprises that produce products in the petrochemicals conversion sector. the CEO said.

Global distillate markets remain oversupplied as freight demand lags

Recent data have been mixed. The consumer side of the US economy appears to be strong, but the industrial side is still struggling. And in the rest of the world, growth appears to be slowing.

SOCAR selects KBR venture to manage Baku refinery modernization

Total capacity will be increased from 6 MMtpy to 7.5 MMtpy, while the catalytic cracking unit will be raised from 2 MMtpy to 2.5 MMtpy. Euro 5 standards will be established for all refined products.

Kuwait refines crude pricing strategy in battle for European customers

Large sales from Iraq's Kurdistan into Europe have added to the competition and now Kuwait -- a usually little-noticed seller in Europe -- is both increasing sales and making its crude more attractive.

Saudis raise crude prices for Asian refiners as demand strengthens

The Saudis have become more convinced that the demand gains in oil from Asian refiners are sustainable, giving them the confidence to start raising prices.

Iran to raise oil exports in March amid more sales to European refiners

Litasco, the trading arm of Russia's Lukoil, Cepsa and Total have become the first buyers in Europe after the lifting of sanctions and lifted trial cargoes in February.

Dow Chemical ships reverse osmosis elements from new Jubail plant

A first of its kind built outside the United States, the new reverse osmosis (RO) production facility came on-stream in December 2015 to better serve the local Saudi Arabian market.

Meet EPA Tier 3 clean fuel regulations through improved blending processes

Emerson Process Management: Truesdale, P.  |  Carugo, M.

This article will examine the impact of Tier 3 regulations on gasoline blending at refineries and terminals, and illustrate options that can contribute to compliance while keeping costs under control.

Calculate thermal efficiency to optimize fired heater operation

Saudi International Petrochemical Co. (Sipchem): Ibrahim, M. E.  |  Shirpurkar, V.

In a Saudi International Petrochemical Co. petrochemical plant, fired heaters are designed to supply heat duty at 7 MW and are one of the major consumers of energy.

Minimize unplanned shutdowns of fired heater operations

John Zink Co. LLC: Baukal, C.
OnQuest Canada ULC: Newnham, R.
John Zink Hamworthy Combustion: Johnson, B.

There are many potential “rules,” or guidelines, for the safe operation of process heaters.