Nichols, Lee
Industry Perspectives: Will capital investments increase in 2021 and beyond?
Over the past several years, the world witnessed a significant increase in downstream capacity growth in all sectors of the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI). However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in demand for transportation fuels and certain petrochemical value chains.
Editorial Comment: Maintenance and reliability—A cornerstone of safe and efficient plant operation
Refineries and petrochemical plants are comprised of a series of crucial processes to produce transportation fuels, products and chemicals demanded by the global market. These processes consist of capital-intensive units that must be maintained to provide reliable performance. Failure to adequately maintain these assets can have a detrimental effect to not only operations and profit, but also to worker safety.
Editorial Comment
Over the past several decades, the hydrocarbon processing industry has invested heavily in new processing units to produce low-sulfur and ultra-low-sulfur (ULS) transportation fuels.
Global Project Data
According to Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database, new capital project investments have increased each month since November 2020.
Construction
Sprea Misr has awarded Nuberg EPC an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 500-tpd sulfuric acid plant in Ramadan City, Egypt.
Industry Perspectives
In the second half of 2021, Hydrocarbon Processing is hosting two events to showcase the leading technologies and people in the refining, petrochemicals and gas processing/LNG industries: The International Refining and Petrochemical Conference (IRPC) and the HP Awards. A “call for abstracts” has opened for both events.
Global Project Data
After a tumultuous year, many active capital projects have been deferred, delayed or even abandoned.
Industry Perspectives
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is steadily advancing through the energy transition.
Editorial Comment: Petrochemicals: Changing technologies and configurations to satisfy future demand
For nearly a decade, capital investments in new petrochemical capacity have skyrocketed. This
Global Project Data
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database is tracking nearly 1,400 projects around the world.
- China's March jet fuel exports jump 77.4% from a year earlier 4/18
- Nigeria strikes deal with Shell to supply $3.8-B methanol project 4/18
- Singapore fuel oil stockpiles rebound to 8-week high on higher imports 4/18
- Clariant launches new CATOFIN 312 propane dehydrogenation catalyst 4/18
- Solvay inaugurates new blowing agent production unit in Rosignano, Italy 4/18
- Meridian Energy Group’s Davis Refinery Project in North Dakota (U.S.) will be the world’s first net-zero carbon refinery 4/17