Global downstream news update: 7 November 2014

Brazil

Construction of Petrobras new Abreu e Lima refinery is reportedly nearly complete. The refinery is located near the port of Suape in Pernambuco state. The first phase of this 115 000 bpd refinery is expected to be fully commissioned by the end of this year and the second phase is already scheduled for 2015 which will see the refinery process approximately 230 000 bpd.

Denmark

Intertek is going to provide Statoil’s operations in Kaundborg, Denmark with analytical laboratory services. Under the agreement, Intertek will acquire the Statoil analytical laboratory and ownership is due to be transferred over in the next six months. Intertek is also to provide Statoil with outsourced oil laboratory services.

India

Due to a shortage of capital to keep the plant operational, the Haldia Petrochemicals plant has been offline since the start of July this year. It has now been reported that operations at the facility are likely to resume after lenders have agreed a new injection of funds.

Iran

It has been reported that Iran is going to build a refinery in Indonesia as well as supply crude oil to the country. It has also been said that Iran is seeking to construct LNG facilities and petrochemicals facilities in Indonesia as well.

Iraq

The Iraqi government has announced plans to revive a project to build a mega refinery after it was put on hold three years ago. The 250 000 bpd facility was originally meant to be built in central Euphrates. The refinery was shelved due to security concerns in the region. Whilst being built, the refinery is expected to create 7000 jobs in total.

Nigeria

The Nigerian Navy has announced that it has recently destroyed nine illegal refineries in the Delta region. The force has also destroyed three Cotonou boats in the Warri South Local Government Area. In addition to this, the Navy has said that it has found and got rid of containers holding approximately 936 000 ltrs of illegally sourced and stolen crude oil. A fibre boat has also been recovered from illegal refiners.

USA

MDU Resources Group has said that it is going to exit oil production and is exploring the possibility of opening a second diesel fuel refinery in North Dakota. The 20 000 bpd facility would be built in the Bakken and the company already has a location in place and has started submitting permits for approval.

Zambia

It has been reported that Zambia is showing interest in the refinery planned for construction in Uganda. The country has asked for more information surrounding the proposed Ugandan 60 000 bpd refinery that has already attracted interest from surrounding countries. Zambia’s interest is being added to interest already shown by Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. It has been announced by the Energy Minister that interested countries will be offered 8% shares in the facility.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/07112014/downstream-news-7-nov-14/