24 June 2014: downstream oil, gas and petrochemicals news

Australia

By the end of this year, the Kurnell refinery will be switched off and turned in to a terminal for imported fuel. The refinery has been in operation for 58 years and only 100 employees will stay on to work at the site. It is thought that Caltex will begin the sequential shutdown of the refinery will take place in the final three months of the year.

India

The government of West Bengal has announced that it is no longer going to sell its stake in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL). The government owns a 39.99% share in the company and was originally to sell it by auction. Reportedly, several companies showed interest in buying the share, including Gail, reliance Industries and Cairn India. However, following the volume of interest expressed, only Indian Oil Corporation actually placed a bid.

Russia

It has been reported that Russian oil refinery runs rose by 6.1% in May month on month. This is the equivalent to 329 911 bpd and follows the seasonal maintenance period. Also in May, refineries processing 5.76 million bpd of crude oil.

USA

Quantum Energy Inc. has reportedly entered into a fully executed letter of intent to acquire 400 acres near Baker, Fallon County, Montana. Quantum Energy are apparently seeking to construct an energy centre on the site including a 20 000 bpd refinery with an average output of 7000 bpd of diesel. It is thought that the facility will create more than 100 jobs when it is complete.

A law suit has been filed against GE Oil & Gas by a man in the Southern District of Texas. Gaspar Salas claims a supervisor at the company who used derogatory terminology about his Mexican nationality discriminated him against. The supervisor is formally accused of race discrimination, discrimination and retaliation.

Schneider Oil & Gas Energy Scholarships have been awarded to Jared Henderson, Matthew Hoffman and John Mylander. Henderson is to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado. Hofman is to attend Belmont University and Mylander Morgan Community College.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/24062014/24_june_2014_downstream_global_news/