Refining
Industry Perspectives: Downstream disputes breaking the 10% ‘blend wall’ for US ethanol
US refiners are set to break the 10% “blend wall” for using ethanol in gasoline, but downstream professionals are certainly not happy about it.
Industry Metrics
US product markets weakened despite unseasonably strong gasoline demand, and the gasoil crack spread hit the lowest level seen in more than five years, under pressure from increasing supplies amid thin demand due to warmer winter weather.
Innovations
In a market with reduced capital investment budgets, revamps and upgrades are becoming increasingly prevalent to extend asset service life.
People
Smaller-scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) specialist Velocys Plc has named David Pummell as chief executive officer (CEO).
Kuwait to set up new firm to run Al-Zour refinery
KNPC's chief executive Mohammed al-Mutairi said that setting up the new company KBRC would allow the independent management of many projects under one structure.
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway buys more stock in US refiner Phillips 66
According to a regulatory filing on Friday night, Berkshire paid about $198 million this week for 2.54 million Phillips 66 shares, its first purchases of the stock since Jan. 14.
Emerson to boost refinery controls at BP Whiting
The project to upgrade the process control system of two fluid catalytic cracking units is part of a strategic BP-Emerson automation upgrade program.
Global Partners cuts workers, scraps crude at Oregon ethanol-rail hub
Global Partners says it is "taking steps" to use the Oregon terminal for ethanol transloading "during this period of headwinds in the crude market." The terminal houses an ethanol plant.
US gasoline margins rise on report of FCC leak at PBF’s Delaware refinery
PBF was in the process of restarting the refinery before abandoning those efforts on Monday after a leak was discovered in the fluid catalytic cracker, according to a report.
Lukoil to bring Iranian oil to Romanian refinery
The Swiss trader will deliver 1 million bbl of Iranian Light grade to Lukoil's Petrotel refinery in Romania, loading at Iran's Kharg Island terminal on February 5.
- Consortium creates world's first supply chain for the production of renewable plastics 2/6
- Valmet to deliver advanced process analytical solutions to Dow’s Path2Zero ethylene project 2/6
- Tampnet brings mission-critical connectivity to hydrocarbon processing industries 2/6
- Cheniere submits application to build massive LNG plant in Texas 2/6
- OQ and Kuwait Petroleum sign PDA for Duqm petrochemical complex project 2/6
- Phillips 66 to lay off workers as Los Angeles (U.S.) refinery shuts down 2/6

