18th November: Global refining update

Australia
It has been reported that at least two South Korean refiners are interested in taking over United Petroleum Pty. The two companies in question are SK Energy Co. and S-Oil Corp. Both are interested to branch out and explore markets.

Kenya
Kenya is now considering two options for the region’s only refinery after Essar Energy of India announced it is going to sell its 50% share. The country are now either looking for a new investor or may turn the facility into a storage plant.

Mexico
Pemex is apparently studying the feasibility of its Tula refinery as it has suffered from several delays. There is speculation that the US$ 10 billion facility will be suspended pending the Mexican government’s energy policy reform.

UK
On 14^th November a fire broke out at the Essar refinery in Stanlow. It is believed to have involved crude oil and was put out with water jets and foam. The fire was localised to a vacuum unit.

USA
Work has begun on the construction of the Three Affiliated Tribes’ clean fuels refinery in Makoti, North Dakota. Grading work of the site has begun and will be completed in approximately 5 weeks. The whole facility is expected to be online by the middle of next year.

On Friday 15^th November there was a fire and explosion at the Chevron Pascagoula refinery, Mississippi. The accident resulted in one death of a plant operator. The explosion happened inside a furnace in the cracking II unit.

Venezuela
A fire broke out at the PDVSA refinery in the state of Anzoategui on Friday 15^th November. The fire was reported as totally controlled and no one was injured.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/18112013/18th_nov_refining_news/