Octane
HP Industry Metrics: HP Metrics
At mid-year, the global demand for oil remains steady, and growth is forecast to average about 1.13 million bpd (MMbpd). Analysts are more optimistic for greater demand increases in 2015 at 1.21MMbpd,..
EU refining industry struggles to remain competitive in 2014
For European refiners, the economic situation remains clouded. The 2008 global recession sent this region into a financial downward spiral. Conditions are improving, but they still lag behind other de..
How to make anything with a catalytic cracker
Various refined products can be produced via an FCCU only with changes in operating condition, different feedstocks and advanced/specialty catalyst choices.
Case history: Modernization of Russia’s refining industry—Part 1
Russian laws governing transportation fuels and crude oil have undergone many changes. These regulatory changes will involve the revamping of Russia’s refining industry. At present, this nation h..
Which margin levers impact Group I and Group II base stock competitiveness?—Part 2
This is the second in a two-part series assessing the struggle taking place between Group I and Group II/III for market control and price formation in the global base stocks industry. Part I provided ..
HP Industry Perspectives: Tale of two continents
Growing supplies by non-OPEC countries has introduced some calm for crude oil prices. However, other factors are influencing profitability and margins. In the US, the abundance of shale oil and the 40..
HP News
API releases three new standards to improve refinery safetyThe American Petroleum Institute (API) issued three new first-edition standards to enhance refinery safety and inspection programs:RP 583, Co..
HP Industry Metrics
Global energy markets are reaching a new equilibrium, according to Wood Mackenzie analysts. As demand shifts to the East, it will expand to extraordinary proportions. However, the world finds itself i..
Russian straight-run fuel oil supply collapse complicates Gulf Coast feedstock choices
In the next couple of years, collapsing Russian supply of straight-run fuel oil (SRFO) will undermine foreign supply of feedstock to the US Gulf Coast.
Which margin levers impact Group I and Group II base stock competitiveness? Part 1
As much as the lubricants industry might wish it otherwise, base stocks production is becoming more commoditized, and it is intertwined inextricably with mainstream refining operations. The vast major..
- Pakistan-China to sign MoU on oil-to-chemicals complex in June 5/17
- China biofuel makers bet on sustainable aviation fuel 5/17
- AMETEK Land provides thermal imagers to large ethylene producer 5/17
- China's refinery output falls for first time in 20 mos due to maintenance 5/17
- Dow, SCG Chemicals sign MoU to transform 200,000 tpy of plastic waste into circular products 5/17
- Ukraine long-range attacks continue to disrupt Russian refining, energy operations 5/17