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Refining

China issues second set of 2023 oil import quotas, up from 2022

According to the document from the Ministry of Commerce, 44 companies, mostly independent refiners, were given 111.82 MMt in import quotas in this round.

Russia's Lukoil agrees to sell Italian refinery to consortium

Russia's Lukoil has sold its Italian refinery to a consortium of Western private equity and trading firms in the first major asset sale since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the companies said on Monday.

Alcoa's Australia unit flags 30% production cut at alumina refinery

Aluminum producer Alcoa Corp said on Monday it expects production at its partially owned Kwinana alumina refinery in Western Australia to be cut by about 30% due to a shortage of gas supply.

Petrobras reinforces security at refineries after threats

Petroleo Brasileiro SA stepped up security at its refineries in a precautionary measure after threats against assets, including Brazil's biggest fuel plant, two company officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Venezuela's oil exports slipped despite big assist from Iran

Venezuela's oil exports last year declined due to infrastructure outages, U.S. sanctions and rising competition in its key Asia market despite assistance from ally Iran, according to shipping data and documents.

Venezuela's lack of dredging causes trouble for Chevron's heavy oil exports

A shipping channel snafu is slowing Chevron Corp's efforts to load tankers at one of its four Venezuelan joint ventures and bring heavy crude to the United States.

Japan's Idemitsu restarts Yokkaichi No.2 CDU after maintenance

Japan's second-biggest oil refiner, Idemitsu Kosan Co, restarted the 100,000 bpd No.2 crude distillation unit (CDU) at its Yokkaichi refinery in central Japan on Dec. 3

Vietnam's largest refinery output to fall 20%-25% due to unit shutdown

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked fuel traders to increase their imports to compensate for the shortfall "to ensure sufficient fuels for the local market until the end of the first quarter," the government said.

Crude oil prices increased in first-half 2022 and declined in second-half 2022

In the first half of 2022, geopolitical tension with Russia, culminating with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, contributed to crude oil price increases.

Germany's energy crisis powers hydrogen switch

From the moment Russian gas exports to Germany were first disrupted in June, German firm Kelheim Fibers began casting around for alternative options to keep its engines running.