Global downstream news: 25 April 2014

USA

California

Chevron Corp. plans to run higher sulfur Alaskan and Middle eastern crude when it completes work at the Richmond refinery.

Richmond is seeking regulatory approval to replace a hydrogen plant and increase capacity of its fluid catalytic cracker’s hydrotreater and sulfur recovery system.

Delaware

Delta Air Lines, which bought the ConocoPhillips refinery in Trainer in order to secure a steady source of jet fuel said on Wednesday that the refinery had lost US$ 41 million in the first quarter, but is expected to be profitable in the current June quarter.

Delta said that one major crude unit at the refinery has been shut down for scheduled modifications, which lowered throughput levels.

Florida

Allenco Energy Inc. has agreed to pay US$ 700 000 on upgrades after it released dangerous emissions into a South Los Angeles neighbourhoos.

The settlement capped a four month investigation prompted by hundreds of complaints about chemical odours, respiratory ailments, nosebleeds and other health problems in the area.

Texas

A safety inspector is suing Ardent Sevies LLC because he claims that he was injured on the job.

Rafael Mateo asserts that the Targa Refinery in Montague required him to do work outside of his normal job description, which resulted in the injury.

Utah

Bakken Energy Corp. has announced that the company has reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between its board of directors to acquire an oil refinery in southern Utah.

The company is currently completing its evaluation of the refinery and is in the process of getting an updated appraisal of the property.

Wyoming

Willian Partners L.P. and Williams reported an explosion and fire at approcimately 2 pm on 23 April at their natural gas processing facility in Lincoln County. No injuries were reported and there was no damage to property outside of the facility.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan plans to build a major petrochemical complex by 2016 to produce higher value products from associated petroleum gas that is currently mainly flared.

The government aims to go ahead with US$ 6.3 billion project because it believes that the current flaring situation in the country is unacceptable.

Japan

JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. has announced that it will refine 911 000 bpd of crude oil in May for domestic consumption.

The company’s April crude refining for domestic consumption was estimated at 1.07 million bpd, down 3% from last year.

Edited from various sources by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/25042014/downstream_news_424/