Global weekend news catch up: 18 August 2014

India

It has been reported that the construction of a new refinery by Indian Oil Corporation Limited is to be delayed further. The plant, which is to be built in the Paradip Petroleum Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region, Odisha is now expected to be commissioned next year. Logistical problems have been said to be causing the delays.

Kuwait

Following a fire that broke out at the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery on Sunday 17 August, several workers were injured. The KNPC owned 460 000 bpd plant stated that the fire broke out in the waste treatment facility but was shortly controlled and extinguished. The injuries suffered by employees have been reported as minor. An investigation has now been launched to determine the exact cause.

Nigeria

At the end of last week, Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s president performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a methanol plant in Akwa Ibom State. The plant is attracting investments of US$ 1.5 billion and is being built by Quantum Petrochemical Company Limited. Recently, Jonathan has also commissioned the Uquo Gas Processing facility which is due to be built by Severn Energy. The Nigerian company Fronteir Oil Limited will run the plant once complete.

Oman

Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company is planning to construct a refinery in the Duqm Special Economic Zone. As part of these plans, the company has floated a tender for site preparation. The company looks to commence preparation in the first quarter of next year and complete it the year after. The facility is a joint venture between Oman Oil Company and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

Pakistan

A local rights organisation has demanded the establishment of an oil refinery in the Karak area early. The Khattak Ittehad has said that delays in finalising the facility is causing problems and unrest among the residents of the region. Water shortages in the area are being voiced as the reason why delays in construction of the facility are being experienced.

National Refinery Limited has awarded an installation contract to China National Chemical Engineering Corporation-Haulu. The US$ 242.135 million contract is for several installations of desulfurisation and isomerisation plants. The desulfurisation unit will enable the plant to meet Euro 2 specifications.

Taiwan

Formosa Petrochemical Corp has said that it will be shutting secondary units at the Mailiao refinery in September. The units are being taken offline for repairs and run rates are anticipated to be lower. One of the residue fluid catalytic crackers at the plant will be shut down as it is experiencing mechanical problems. Gasoline supplies are likely to be impacted.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Sources: Dawn, The News, Construction Week Online, Reuters, This Day Live, Arabian Business, Steel Guru.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/18082014/oil-gas-downstream-news-18-aug/