Downstream news, early July: USA and Canada

Canada

Imperial Oil has announced that its Dartmouth refinery is to be converted into a terminal facility after the company failed to attract a buyer for the plant.

Imperial has spent the last year exploring alternatives for the plant, however several interested parties ultimately determined that the plant could not be made profitable due to changing market dynamics.

USA

Arizona

A gas leak at Intel Corp.’s Chandler refinery has sickened up to 43 people, including 11 who were hospitalised.

Those transported to hospital were suffering from conditions such as breathing difficulties, nausea and skin and eye irritation.

Officials the refinery have announced that there is no ongoing danger.

California

Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council leaders entered into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with Chevron USA Inc., ensuring construction jobs created by the Refinery’s Modernisation Project are reserved for Building Trades members. This agreement marks a major milestone for the Refinery’s Modernisation Project.

The proposed upgrade, which is expected to spark opposition from some environmentalists, will enable Chevron to process a wider range of crude oils atits Richmond facility. Greg Feere, CEO of Contra Building and Construction Trades Council, has described the proposed developments as a ‘win-win for Richmond, for local workers and for apprentices’.

Chevron has declined to disclose the potential costs of the project, however estimates are in the range if US$ 1 billion. Hundreds of jobs stand to be created should the development go ahead.

Also in California, Royal Dutch Shell has announced that its Martinez refinery has now returned to normal running. Shell had reported flaring at the 156 400 bpd refinery at the end of last week due to an unspecified upset.

New Jersey

PBF Energy, Inc. Has announced that its Paulsboro Refinery has been recertified by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Site, the highest recognition that a company can earn for its safety programs.

Utah

Emery Refining, LLC and the Governors Office of Economic Development (GOED) have announced that the company will construct a facility in Emery County. This facility is expected to add 125 permanent new jobs to Utah’s refining industry.

Washington

BP’s refinery at Cherry Point and the Phillips 66 refinery in Ferndale are preparing to accept crude oil shipments from North Dakota.

The BP refinery is building an almost 2 mile long rail loop to handle shipments, and Phillips 66 is planning to build its own rail terminal. Phillips has reported to Whatcom County that it expects to handle one oil train every two days. BP expects one per day, maximum.

Edited from various sources by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/01072013/downstream_news_early_july_usa_canada_452/