12 May: Global downstream news roundup

Brazil

On Thursday of last week a court gave police access to Petrobras’ bank records. The decision was made as part of a wider investigation into money laundering related to US and Brazilian refineries. The refinery currently under investigation is the Abreu e Lima Refinery near Recife.

Iran

Iran is looking to add a gasoline production plant to the Isfahan refinery, however, in order to build the unit, an investment of 2.5 billion Euros is needed. The unit will reduce fuel oil production in the country and increase gasoline output that meets European standards. The country is looking to become an exporter of gasoline during the next Iranian calendar year.

Iraq

On Sunday 11 May it was reported that an oil refinery in Erbil city was set on fire. The exact cause of the fire is not yet known and no casualties were reported. The refinery is located on Kirkuk-Erbil road.

Kuwait

Kuwait Petroleum Corp and Shell have reportedly signed an LNG supply deal. The contract is reportedly worth US$ 12 billion. It has also been rumoured that KPC is looking to sign a US$ 3 billion supply deal with BP.

Scotland

Following almost a month of planned maintenance, the Ineos owned Grangemouth refinery was preparing to come back online at the end of last week. The 210 000 bpd plant is expected to be fully operational by 15 May. Over the weekend, the plant’s 35 000 bpd crude distillation unit was reportedly showing increased stack activity, while the rest of the facility’s major units remailed offline.

UAE

Takreer has announced that the expansion of the Ruwais refinery, Abu Dhabi, will be fully commissioned by the end of the year. The expansion work will more than double the processing capacity at the 410 000 bpd facility. When the work is complete the plant will be able to process Murban grade crude oil.

USA

It has been reported that a Californian company has purchased a site in Cameron Parish, Louisiana for the development of a natural gas liquefaction facility. The company is a division of Southern California Telephone & Energy and is looking to invest US$ 2.4 million in the liquefaction facility. It has also been reported that a Houston based firm has received funding to build a LNG export terminal on the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish.

Wales

This year the Valero Pembroke refinery will celebrate 50 years of operations. The facility was originally opened in 1964 with a processing capacity of 100 000 bpd, which has increased to 270 000 bpd today. The facility is one of the largest in Europe and to celebrate the milestone, Valero are organising a number of community and employee celebrations throughout the year. 

Adapted from a press release by Emma McAleavey

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/12052014/global_downstream_news_12may/