Early March US downstream update
California
The Big West oil refinery, acquired by Alon USA Energy in June 2010, is set to restart in June this year. The gasoline and diesel producing complex was shut down in December 2008 as owners Flying J Inc. declared bankruptcy.
Illinois
ConocoPhillips has reported a ‘power dip’ in a distilling wet gas compressor, which led to flaring of sulfur dioxide at its Wood refinery.
Louisiana
Motiva Enterprises, a joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell and Saudi Refining Inc., has shut down the wet compressor at its 242 000 bpd refinery in Norco for maintenance.
Valero Energy Corp. has begun conversion of a catalytic cracking unit into a fluidic catalytic cracking unit at its 185 000 bpd St. Charles refinery in Norco. The work is expected to last 56 days.
New Mexico
Holly Corp. expects operating rates at its Navajo refinery to average 65 000 – 70 000 bpd in the first quarter. The plant has a 115 000 bpd capacity, but was forced to reduce its crude rate to 40 000 bpd following a plantwide power failure on January 26.
Ohio
Marathon Oil Corp. has begun planned work at its 84 500 bpd Canton refinery. The company has withheld details of the work’s duration or scope.Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/04032011/early_march_us_downstream_refinery_update/
You might also like
Low US distillate consumption reflects slow economic activity and biofuel substitution
The EIA reports that US distillate consumption so far this year is lower than usual because of warm winter weather, reduced manufacturing activity, and continued substitution of biofuels in place of petroleum distillate on the US West Coast (PADD 5).