Downstream news from the Americas: End of October

Brazil

Petrobras have given PDVSA until 30^th November 2011 to pay their 40% stake in a joint refinery project. The proposed Abreu e Lima refinery has been surrounded in debate and discussions since early 2008 and is planned for Brazil’s Pernambuco estate. Petrobras have announced that they will build the US$ 15 billion, 230 000 bpd, facility even if PDVSA do not present their 40% stake by the end of next month.

California

Over the weekend, Chevron Corp conducted planned maintenance at the El Segundo refinery that resulted in flaring on 29^th October. A preparatory filing was made with the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Mexico

Pemex have announced plans to upgrade the Salamanca refinery. Work will begin next year at the facility as the state company look to cut gasoline imports in to Mexico which currently feed 40% of the country’s demand. Pemex are also planning on constructing a new refinery in Hidalgo by 2016 with a processing capacity of 300 00 bpd.

New Jersey

NuStar Energy is planning on transporting Canadian crude to the Paulsboro refinery, New Jersey. The crude will be transported by rail and used to produce asphalt in the early part of 2012. NuStar are expecting to produce 5000 bpd of Canadian crude throughout the 2012 asphalt season.

Texas

On the weekend, Shell Oil Co had to shutdown multiple process units at its Deer Park refinery due to a mechanical pump failure. The 327 00 bpd facility did not specify which units were affected when the filing was made with the Texas Commission in Environmental Quality. 

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/31102011/downstream_news_from_the_americas_end_of_october/