Global Refining & Fuels Today

PetroVietnam is Lining Up Three Massive Refinery Projects

News flow out of Vietnam shows that this nation is posting its flag on the international oil turf in a big way. The latest reports provide financing and crude supply news on an accelerated program to expand the nation’s first operating refinery at Dung Quat. The nation is also working quickly to meet national fuel demands by constructing two other grassroots refineries and petrochemicals plants over the next 10 years.

WTI Tops US$80 in Biggest Monthly Advance Since May 2009

NYMEX light sweet crude for November delivery closed at US$79.97 per barrel (/bbl), up $2.11 on September 30, in response to rising optimism for growth in energy demand and end of third-quarter position-balancing by financial institutions. Lower than expected jobless claims and the upward revision of second-quarter economic growth also triggered an aggressive round of buying across the energy complex.

CNPC’s Proposed LNG Terminal Location Rejected; China, Russia Sign Energy Cooperation Agreement

China’s Ministry of Transport rejected China National Petroleum Corp.’s (CNPC) proposed site for its 3 million tons per year Shenzhen liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, according to a recent report in the 21st Century Business Herald.

Willbros Wins EPC Contract for Valero McKee Refinery

On September 29, Willbros Group Inc. announced that it will provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of a new Flare Gas Recovery Facility at Valero Energy Corp.’s McKee Refinery in Sunray, Texas. The announcement valued the project at approximately US$14 million.

BP Agrees to Pay US$15M Penalty for Violations at Texas City Refinery

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department announced today that BP Products North America Inc. has agreed to pay a US$15 million penalty to resolve federal Clean Air Act violations at its Texas City, Texas, petroleum refinery.

Sonatrach Selects Technip to Rehab Algiers Refinery

Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach has awarded a 67.88 billion Algerian dinars (US$920 million) contract to France’s Technip SA, to refurbish the Algiers refinery, according to a recent Sonatrach statement.

Mumias Sugar Signs US$20M Loan to Build Ethanol Plant

Mumias Sugar Co., Kenya’s largest producer of the sweetener, has signed a 1.6-billion shilling (US$19.8 million) loan to build an ethanol power plant, according to a September 27 report by African Business News (ABN).

Linc More Than Doubles Syngas Flow Rates at Demo Plant

Australia-based Linc Energy Ltd. said it has more than doubled its underground coal gasification (UCG) Gasifier 4 flow rates with the work over processes it recently completed with the energy firm’s newly-acquired coil tubing unit equipment.

Foster Wheeler: Initial PetroAlgae Test Yields Encouraging Results

Global engineering and construction contractor Foster Wheeler AG has completed its initial test of PetroAlgae’s biomass, with encouraging results, the company said on September 28.

Fluor Garners New Shell Malaysia Diesel Unit Project

Fluor Corp. has been awarded the Hijau Gasoil Phase-1 project in Malaysia by Shell Refining Co., according to a September 28 Fluor announcement.

Marubeni, Toyo in Mongolia Refinery Deal

Marubeni and Toyo Engineering are working on a deal to construct Mongolia’s first oil refinery, according to a September 29 report from Nikkei news service.

Tesla to Supply Toyota on Electric RAV4

Electric carmaker Tesla Motors Inc. and Toyota Motor Corp. plan to develop an electric version of the RAV4 sport utility vehicle (SUV) to debut in the U.S. about two years from now.

China BAK Signs Lithium Battery Supply Contract with Geoby Electric

China BAK Battery, a global manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells, said on September 27 that its Tianjin facility was awarded a new contract to supply lithium-ion batteries to e-bike producer Geoby Electric Vehicle, in China.

GM: Mid-Size Diesel Passenger Car in U.S. Market Plan

While General Motors annually sells more than 1 million diesel-powered passenger vehicles around the world, it doesn’t have a light-duty diesel vehicle for the U.S. market – mostly because of relatively higher ownership costs for diesels in the U.S. (including lower taxes on gasoline than diesel).

PSA-Peugeot, Ford Ink €300 million Euro-6 Diesel Engine Deal

Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroën September 29 announced a €300 million (US$409 million) Euro-6 diesel engine development deal, on the heels of joint production of 16.5 million diesel engines over the past decade.

PSA, Mitsubishi Ink EV Deal

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Mitsubishi announced September 29 that they’ve signed a new cooperative agreement to develop electric versions of Peugeot “Partner” and Citroën “Berlingo” models built in Spain.