Diesel Fuel News

Tesoro to Build Distillate Desulfurization Unit for BP Carson Refinery Takeover

Tesoro will build a single-distillate desulfurization unit (DDU) for converting various feedstocks into ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuels at both its 97,000 barrel-per-day (b/d) Wilmington, Calif. refinery as well as the adjacent 266,000-b/d Carson, Calif. refinery it just acquired from BP.

U.S. EPA Proposes Renewable/FT Diesel Rule, ULSD Survey Limits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 20 published a proposed rule defining how “renewable diesel” from landfill biogas or cellulosic feedstocks would qualify for “renewable identification number” (RIN) trading credits under the EPA’s renewable fuel standard-2 (RFS-2) regulations.

IMO Might Delay Tougher Diesel Ship NOX Limits to 2021

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) heard a proposal May 16 from Russia and other member nations to delay by five years – to Jan. 1, 2021 – the upcoming “Tier 3” limits on nitrogen oxides (NOX) from new engines and new ships, which otherwise would take effect starting Jan. 1, 2016.

Bunker Fuel Sulfur Emissions Exacerbate Ocean Acidification: Study

Ships burning high-sulfur bunker fuels are exacerbating ocean acidification, according to a new joint study by researchers in Germany, Sweden and the U.S.

Accelergy Seeks U.S. Patent on Combined Direct/Indirect Coal Liquefaction for Diesel

Houston-based Accelergy is seeking a U.S. Patent for a “diesel fuel production process employing direct and indirect coal liquefaction,” according to a May 2 announcement from the U.S. Patent Office.

Lockheed Martin Commissions Diesel/Solar Microgrid at U.S. Army Base in Texas

Lockheed Martin announced May 16 that it commissioned the first U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) grid-tied microgrid integrating both renewable power and energy storage at the U.S. Army Base at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Mitsubishi Completes Acquisition of Pratt & Whitney Power

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) announced May 20 that it completed its acquisition Pratt & Whitney’s small- and medium-size gas turbine business unit Pratt & Whitney Power Systems (PWPS).

Cabot Taps Field Gas for Diesel/Gas Dual-Fuel Fracking Power

Cabot Oil & Gas announced May 20 its first-ever use of Marcellus Shale natural gas-to-fuel equipment employed in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in northeastern Pennsylvania.

JM Touts U.S. EPA ‘Tier-4’ Stationary Diesel Compliance with ‘SCRT’

Johnson Matthey announced May 20 that its “SCRT” system combining urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with a catalyzed diesel-particulate filter (DPF) technology is moving beyond its traditional highway diesel vehicle applications into stationary diesel engine applications.

Total Unveils €1-Billion Antwerp Modernization Project; ULSD Boost

France-based oil major Total announced May 22 that it approved a €1-billion (US$1.29-billion) modernization project for its Antwerp, Belgium refining and petrochemical complex – including investments that will enable greater output of Euro-5 ultra-low sulfur diesel.

ORL 1Q 2013 Profits Improve Year-on-Year Thanks to Hydrocracker Startup

Israel-based Oil Refineries Ltd. (ORL) announced May 20 that its first quarter (1Q) adjusted net income rose to US$4 million, up from a net loss of $34 million in 1Q 2012.

EU Probe Into Petroleum, Biofuel Price-Fixing Stokes New Campaign

FairFuelUK (FFUK) announced May 15 that it’s renewing a call for a U.K. Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation into possible petroleum fuels price fixing, following a European Commission raid in mid-May on several European oil company and biofuels producer offices.

Worldwide Energy Consortium Announces South Texas Refinery Project

Irving, Texas-based Worldwide Energy Consortium (WEC) announced May 20 that it plans to build a refinery of approximately 10,000 barrels per day (b/d) near Gardendale (La Salle County), Texas.

Petrobras Comperj Refinery Construction Halted

Petrobras announced May 14 that the construction project at its Comperj refinery in Rio de Janeiro was halted by a court order that negated state-issued environmental permits.

Gazprom Exec: Shale-Gas Fracking ‘Unprofitable,’ Environmentally Harmful

Igor Yusufov – board member of Russian oil and gas major Gazprom – slammed shale-gas fracking as “unprofitable” and a “very harmful thing for the environment” in an April 25 radio interview.

PetroChina’s Kunlun Energy Investing in LNG for Vehicle Fueling

PetroChina subsidiary Kunlun Energy plans to invest some US$2.8 billion in expanding natural gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) process plants in part to support more sales of natural gas fuel to vehicles in China.

UOP Seeking Patent on Diesel Hydrocracking Scheme

The U.S. Patent Office announced May 2 that UOP is seeking a patent on a diesel fuel hydrocracking scheme.

Market Report: ULSD Prices Fall on Inventory Gains

Ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) prices in most major spot and futures markets declined last week thanks to rising stock levels and moderating demand.

Distillate Watch

VW Launches Service Action to Prevent Diesel Car Misfueling with Gasoline

Volkswagen of America confirmed to Diesel Fuel News on May 22 that it’s launching a “customer service action” in the U.S. and Canada with special retrofit parts for various late-model VW diesel cars in order to prevent customer misfueling with gasoline.

Halifax Buying 80 Clean-Diesel Transit Buses

Winnipeg, Manitoba-based New Flyer Industries announced May 17 that Metro Transit of Halifax, Nova Scotia, signed a deal to buy 80 clean-diesel “Xcelsior” transit buses.

India’s Diesel Price Decontrol Forcing Automakers to Rethink Strategies

With India gradually removing government subsidies on diesel fuel prices, automakers are beginning to rethink plans for expanding diesel vehicle capacity at the expense of gasoline vehicle capacity.

Volvo Diesel PHEV Sales Nearly Doubling

Volvo Car Group announced May 16 that it’s ramping up production by 90% for the world’s first series-production diesel plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) car “to keep up with demand.”

Cat Settles Siwei Acquisition Lawsuit

Caterpillar announced May 16 that it settled a lawsuit with ERA arising out of Cat’s acquisition of Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical & Electrical Manufacturing Co.

STQ Orders 2 LNG-Powered Ferries for Quebec Service

Société des Traversiers du Québec (STQ) announced May 16 that it ordered two new ferries from Davie Shipyard that will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Navistar Sells RV Businesses to ASV

Navistar announced May 16 that it has sold its recreational vehicle (RV) business and manufacturing facilities to Florida-based Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV), leading producer of fire and emergency, commercial, industrial and recreational vehicles.