Downstream news update: 11 July 2014

Romania

The Petromidia refinery has registered the highest level of output since its commissioning, with over 465 000 t of raw materials processed in May.

It has exceeded its previous production record of 14 000 tpd by 7%, due to an upgrade and production capacity increase to more than 5 million tpy.

The company additionally recorded its best diesel production output in May, of 49.5%, with produced and delivered fuels of over 231 000 t. In the same period the fuel output (petrol, diesel, jet fuel) rose to 87.9%, a record number compared to the 85.6% level reached last year.

Japan

Nansei Sekiyu KK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Brazil’s Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras), has suspended operations at its 100 000 bpd Nishihara refinery on the island of Okinawa.

The refinery, which was taken offline as of 7 July, remains shut down.

China

Sinochem has put into formal operation its first fully owned refinery, the 240 000 bpd Quanzhou plant, after test runs since January. Gasoline and diesel produced by Quanzhou met Euro V standards.

The refinery is expected to process crude oil from Iraq, Oman and Kuwait.

India

The manufacturing plant of Haldia Petrochemicals was shut down after the naphtha cracker unit developed a technical snag.

Malaysia

Japanese Idemitsu Kosan’s petrochemical subsidiary has lowered the operating rate at its 110 000 tpy high impact polystyrene (HIP) plant at Pasir Gudang in July, from 100% in June.

The reason for the lowered run rate is slowing demand due to rising HIPS prices, caused by increasing styrene monomer prices, and the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The company is likely to gradually lower operations to 70% of capacity if demand remains low.

Edited from various sources by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/11072014/downstream_news_908/