Refining
US, Indian gasoline demand boosts outlook for oil
Hedge funds have turned very bullish about the outlook for oil prices based on indicators showing strong gasoline demand in the US and India.
US investigates Brazil’s Odebrecht, Braskem over naphtha contracts
Local daily Valor Economico said the Justice Department was focusing its investigation on whether the companies violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in naphtha supply contracts.
Iran’s lack of storage access limits oil exports to European refiners
Some 45-50 million barrels of Iran's oil are estimated to be held in tankers at sea, barely changed from the amounts thought to be in floating storage before sanctions were lifted at the start of the year.
Morocco’s refiner Samir appeals liquidation ruling
Samir, controlled by Corral Petroleum, halted production last August due to financial difficulties. "We had 10 days to file an appeal and we finally did it on Thursday," Samir's lawyer said.
Meridian Energy applies for permits to build new North Dakota refinery
The proposed Davis refinery in North Dakota will be the first “greenfield” complex high-conversion refinery built in many years, according to company officials.
Oil price war scares sense of US energy security
Imports will almost certainly increase further over the remainder of the year as refineries ramp up production to meet record gasoline consumption and US crude output continues to decline.
US energy workers hit hard by investment in company stock plans
In Oklahoma and Texas, workers are delaying retirement plans, surrendering trucks, cars and land in personal bankruptcy cases, or just praying oil prices will recover.
Russia exports more oil as refineries go offline
Russian refineries traditionally have the largest offline capacity in April, as companies scramble to finish maintenance before consumption of oil products peaks in summer.
Indonesia considers removing diesel subsidies in revised 2016 budget
The administration removed gasoline subsidies at the start of 2015, but kept subsidising diesel fuel. It reallocated the money to infrastructure expenditure.
EU clears Statoil to buy Shell’s Danish fuels unit
The European Commission had been concerned that the deal could have led to Danish consumers paying more for their fuel, diesel, gasoline and light heating oil.
- Maersk to use SAF to decarbonize airfreight travel 11/29
- Foundation stone laid for 1.2-MMtpy blue ammonia plant in Qatar 11/29
- Traders using STS transfers near Senegal to export Russian naphtha to Brazil 11/29
- Mexican firefighters extinguish second fire in one week at Pemex refinery 11/29
- Australia's Ampol ends Lytton refinery repairs, provides output forecast 11/29
- Indonesia committed to introduce B40 biodiesel on Jan. 1 11/29
