11th December: Refining and petrochemicals news

Brazil

A union is planning to strike in protest against allegedly unsafe working conditions at the Petrobras REPAR refinery. It is thought that the shutdown could cost Petrobras as much as US$ 560 million if it carries on to the end of the year as the facility is the source of 10% of the country’s fuel output. The most recent incident at the facility was a fire on 28^th November.

India

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has given Petron Engineering Construction Ltd an Advice of Contract for a heater package of FCCU for the integrated refinery expansion project at the Kochi refinery. The contract is estimated to be worth Rs 24.37 Crores.

The Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas has formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) to help combat cyber threat. The group has been formed to create an action plan on cyber security in the oil and gas industry to promote a greater awareness among all stakeholders and encourage collaboration between companies to achieve results and combat the threat.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation is to set up a refinery with Rajasthan in Pachpadra, Barmer. The 9 million tpy facility will also have a petrochemicals complex and is expected to cost approximately Rs 37 000 Crores. The plant is expected to provide petrol and diesel via pipeline to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh once complete.

Indonesia

Pertamina of Indonesia and Thailand’s PTT Global Chemical have formed a joint venture to construct a new petrochemical plant in either Java or Sumatra, Indonesia. The final investment decision is still being discussed but the deadline for all decisions is 2015. The plan is to then have the plant on stream by 2018. Pertamina hope to hold a 51% stake in the facility with PTT having 49%.

Nigeria

There area currently threats Nigeria to shut down two refineries and a port in Port Harcourt in protest against what is being called the government’s failure to clean up after years of oil spills in the surrounding community of the Rivers State. The UN Environment Project recommended clean up action in 2011, but this is apparently yet to be executed.

USA

American Energy Holdings LLC of Michigan is looking to build a refinery in Devils Lake, North Dakota. The planned facility would have a processing capacity of 20 000 bpd and employ up to 100 people. It is estimated that the project will cost US$ 275 million to action.

An explosion occurred at the Bango oil refinery, Fallon, Nevada at 9 am on Monday 9^th December. The explosion is thought to be the result of workers attempting to thaw a frozen pipe with a weed burner. A 24 year old man is in a critical condition after he was hit with hot oil. 

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/11122013/11th_dec_refining_petrochemical_news906/