19 June 2014: global refining news

Iran

National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company has said that construction of its newest refinery is now 75% complete. The plant is being constructed in the southeastern Iranian province of Hormozgan and is expected to produce 12 million ltrs/d of gasoline after the first phase is complete.

Japan

Idemitsu Kosan Co. has said that it plans to refine 468 000 bpd of crude oil from July – September 2014. This figure is 3% lower than for the same time last year. The company has a total refining capacity of 555 000 bpd.

New Zealand

Plans are on track at New Zealand Refining Co. Ltd., in the first of a series of efficiency upgrades to the hydrocracking unit at its Marsden Point refinery. The plant has a processing capacity of 107 000 bpd and is looking to boost diesel processing and increase refinery margins as a whole. The refit of the unit’s mild vacuum column earlier this year has already resulted in a 3.5% increase in separation efficiency.

Nigeria

Engineers India Ltd (EIL) has won its largest ever consultancy contract. The US$ 139 million contract is for construction of a 20 million tpy oil refinery in Nigeria which is being constructed by the Dangote Group. EIL will render both project management consultancy and engineering procurement and construction management services for the planned refinery and polypropylene plant.

Oman

ORPIC has announced that it is planning scheduled maintenance at some of its refinery units as of 25 June for approximately one month. The company has said that production levels from the refineries will be lower than usual as a result of this.

The Netherlands

On 17 June BP reported flaring at its Rotterdam refinery. The flaring followed a power outage in the general area. No impact on the refinery’s units or output was officially reported. Also following the power outage in the area, ExxonMobil’s Rotterdam refinery experienced unexpected heavy flaring. Since the power dip, units at the facility have been restarting one by one but the plant was not completely offline.

UK

Essar Energy, after much speculation has insisted that the Stanlow Refinery is not for sale. Essar purchased the refinery from Shell in 2011 for US$ 350 million. Essar have reportedly said they are not selling the refinery as it is well positioned to supply fuel to the UK.

USA

It has been announced that Quantum Energy Inc., is looking to construct a diesel refinery in Baker, North Dakota which would create 100 jobs. The plant is expected to process 20 000 bpd of oil to produce 7000 bpd of diesel for use within a 100 mile radius of the plant, particularly amongst agricultural producers.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/19062014/19_june_2014_refining_news/