Downstream news updates

The AFPM has gathered the following perspectives from analysts and reporters to help explain why fuel prices today are not moving in lockstep with crude oil prices, and why refining capacity has become one of the most important factors shaping what consumers pay at the pump.

In the August issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering, Luis Alberto Torres-Morales, Jorge Luis Cabrera-Amador, and Leandro Ruiz-Ruiz, Braskem Idesa, alongside Ian Buttridge and David Lin, GTI Solutions, discuss how optimised demethanisers design can reduce methane slip and improve energy efficiency, with a particular focus on two retrofit projects.

Ebara Elliott Energy and Doosan Enerbility have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop advanced gas turbine-driven centrifugal compressors for the LNG industry.

Petrobras, PetroReconcavo, Brava Energia, and Origem Energia have signed long-term contract addenda regarding access to natural gas processing at the Catu Natural Gas Treatment Unit, located in Pojuca, Brazil, and operated by Petrobras.

Clariant has announced the official launch of two new research and development laboratories for its Additives business in China: one at the Daya Bay production site in Huizhou and one at the One Clariant Campus (OCC) in Shanghai.

The American Petroleum Institute explore how the price of oil is actually determined in the latest release here.

P2X Solutions and avanca/Alternoil have entered into a long-term e-methane agreement with deliveries scheduled to start in 4Q26.

Syzygy Plasmonics has announced a framework agreement with the International Finance Corp. to support the development of a pipeline of SAF projects across Latin America.

The planned Initial Public Offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has taken a significant step forward with the completion of a US$1 billion underwriting programme, strengthening the capital markets foundation for what could become Africa’s most consequential industrial listing.

Kino Aski Inc. and Marinvest Energy Canada Inc. have announced the joint development of Kino Aski LNG, a First Nations-led energy corridor and LNG project designed to supply Europe with competitive, low-carbon Canadian energy.

Zimar Group is set to build a US$1.9 billion refinery and petrochemical complex in Dosso, southerwestern Niger, according to various media outlets.

MAIRE has announced that Nextchem, through its subsidiary MyRechemical, has been awarded licensing, Process Design Package, and engineering services by SKY Renewables Burdekin Pty Ltd for the syngas section of Project Lion, Australia.

Waterborne shipments of crude oil and petroleum products from the US Gulf Coast to the West Coast more than quadrupled year-on-year in April and May following a waiver that permitted a broader group of ships to travel between US ports, the US EIA has reported.

Wison Engineering has announced that it has been awarded the US$3.9 billion EPC contract for Phase 2 of the Rich Gas Development Project by ADNOC Gas, UAE, the gas-processing subsidiary of ADNOC.

ORLEN has secured certification under the Oil and Gas Institute’s KZR INiG sustainability scheme for the co-hydrotreatment of bio-based feedstocks at its Plock refinery, Poland.

Argentina LNG has submitted its application to join Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime for the development of its integrated LNG production and export project, with a total investment of US$51 billions throughout the life of the project.

Matthias Wörsching, Head of Custom Catalysts & Business Development, Clariant, joins us to discuss toll manufacturing and custom catalysts.

Braskem and Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits have announced the development of an innovative technology for producing bioacetone from corn ethanol.

Phillips 66, Kinder Morgan, Inc., and HF Sinclair Corp. have announced they have finalised a joint venture agreement and made a final investment decision to move forward with the proposed Western Gateway Pipeline system.

Power LNG, LLC and Énestas have executed definitive agreements establishing a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of LNG infrastructure at the Port of Galveston, Texas, US.

KBR has been selected by ORNX for the pre-FEED phase of its low-cost ammonia project planned for the Laâyoune region of Morocco.

The US Energy Information Administration expects natural gas inventories will increase to 3985 billion ft3 in October, the most gas in inventories ahead of the winter heating season since 2016.

Technip Energies has been awarded a FEED contract for the offshore Regasification Terminal Yan project in Malaysia.

Frontieras North America has announced the selection of Yokogawa as the main automation contractor for Frontieras' first commercial-scale FASform™ Solid Carbon Fractionation facility in Mason County, West Virginia, US.