US refinery news

The US Energy Information Administration published its April Short-Term Energy Outlook this week, examining the implications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Fluor Corp. has announced that it has been selected by America First Refining (AFR) to execute the front-end engineering and design for their large-scale refining facility in Brownsville, Texas, US.

In 2025, the US imported an average of 490 000 bpd of crude oil from the Middle East Gulf region – Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the US EIA has reported.

BASF is launching Butyl acrylate RE and 2-Ethylhexylacrylate RE, two new products that are manufactured at BASF’s Freeport, Texas site, US, with attributed electricity from renewable sources.

Integrated solvent dewaxing and deoiling systems gradually replace conventional wax separation units in refineries. The combination of solvent dewaxing and solvent or solvent-free deoiling improves operational efficiency and final products qualities. It reduces investment and operating costs. Refineries are unlocking additional value while meeting increasingly stringent market and regulatory requirements.

Atlas Copco Gas and Process industrial heat pumps help to upcycle low-temperature waste heat sources (such as river water and sewage water). With the use of a fraction of the electric power to drive the heat pump (typically 20 - 40%), and with no CO2 emitted, this upgraded waste heat can be re-used in a process with the lowest environmental impact possible.

The API has issued a statement on the US EPA’s final Renewable Fuel Standard “Set 2” rule, establishing volume obligations for 2026 and 2027.

AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson has issued a statement today on the EPA’s announcement of a record-breaking final Renewable Fuel Standard rule covering years 2026 and 2027.

Phillips 66 and Kinder Morgan, have announced an extension of the second open season for the Western Gateway Pipeline, a newly proposed refined products pipeline system.

Refineries are delaying turnarounds and operating at higher capacity, increasing the risk of fouling, corrosion, and unplanned downtime. This article outlines practical strategies to improve efficiency, protect asset integrity, and maintain fired heater performance between turnarounds to sustain throughput and reduce operating costs.