Global refining news: 20 October 2014

India

Chempolis Ltd of Finland has signed an agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation to build a biorefinery. The facility will use bamboo as its main biomass source and is going to be constructed near the Assam refinery in North East India. The implementation is expected to take 2 and a half years.

It has been reported that the HPCL owned Visakha refinery may not be running normal operations for approximately 10 – 15 days due to damage from cyclone Hudhud. Process units at the facility are being repaired and restarted individually but this will take some time, as the entire refinery was shutdown.

Following the proposed plans to expand the Hindustan Petroleum Mittel Energy Ltd (HMEL) refinery, a hearing has taken place so those living near the facility could voice opinions. At the hearing many people reportedly raised objection to the expansion plan which would see the plant increase capacity from 9 million tpy to 11.25 million tpy. Approval of the expansion has not yet been granted.

Iraq

It has been reported that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is looking to rush through the expansion of its oil refineries. KRG is seeking to do this to ensure a much needed step is taken toward addressing weaknesses in the economy and oil sector. At the moment the two refineries process just over 96 000 bpd which is not deemed enough to meet local oil product needs.

The Netherlands

Neste Oil Corp. has awarded a contract to SHV Energy BV. The contract is for the marketing and selling of bioprobane that is to be produced from a new unit planned for the Rotterdam renewable diesel refinery. The agreement signed between the two companies will see Neste Oil supplying SHV with 160 000 t of biopropane over four years.

Nigeria

Captain Musa Gemu, Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta has said that since he took office February 2014, 870 illegal refineries have been destroyed. The facilities were all spread along creeks of Delta State. It has also been reported that illegal refining in the area has begun to ebb.

USA

Following a fire at the Placid Refining Company in Port Allen, Louisiana last week, it has been reported that there has been no impact offsite and there is minimal damage. The fire broke out in a crude unit last Thursday. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Zambia

The Zambian government is looking for funding to help upgrade the Indeni refinery. The country is seeking US$ 410 million for the investment and would sell 49% of the company shares to the equity provider to ensure long term reliability. At the moment the facility is only a separator and the investment would be used to allow the facility to refine oil into low price gas and other petroleum products.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/20102014/oil-refining-news-20-oct-14/