refineries

Fire at Contra Costa facility results to shut down of operations

State authorities of the Contra Costa County closed the NuStar Energy facility after its tanks caught fire, followed by investigations to determine how the fire commenced and to determine when the operations can continue safely.

As the San Fransisco Chronicle reports, an explosion of two tanks containing 250,000 gallons to burn took place on October 16, with the causes still being unknown.

The authorities are considering whether the explosion was the result of an earthquake that struck about 10...

https://safety4sea.com/fire-at-contra-costa-facility-results-to-shut-down-of-operations/

EU’s refineries to be affected by 2020 sulphur cap

Over the next 5 years, the global refinery landscape will continue developing, with the IEA forecasting the addition of over 9 million b/d of new capacity; almost twice the level of refined products demand growth over the same period.

Specifically, on a global scale the structural changes in oil products demand and crude supply will have an impact on refining margins and arbitrage. The report focuses on the fact that the refineries that lack the ability to upgrade or desulphurize fuel oil may...

https://safety4sea.com/eus-refineries-to-be-affected-by-2020-sulphur-cap/

Indian Government increases new refinery’s cost estimates

According to New York Times, India increased the cost estimate of a refinery and petrochemical project, that will be jointly constructed by Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co, by more than 36%, following farmers’ protests on relocating the plant. The project is to be commissioned in 2025.

The refinery is now expected to be built at Roha in the Raigad district, about 100 km (62 miles) south of Mumbai. The cost is estimated to reach the $60 billion, despite the fact that the cost at the...

https://safety4sea.com/indian-government-increases-new-refinerys-cost-estimates/

Korean refiner to increase LSFO production by four times

SKTI informed that it will increase its offshore oil blending business by four times, reaching from the current 23,000 barrels a day, to 90,000 barrels next year. The company charters a large oil tanker and adds semi-finished products to produce LSFO.

Namely, as sources reported, SKTI’s low-sulphur oil supply will grow to 130,000 barrels per day, once SK Energy’s vacuum residue desulfurization (VRDS) facility starts operation next April. Then it will be able to produce 40,000 barrels of...

https://safety4sea.com/korean-refiner-to-increase-lsfo-production-by-four-times/

Mississippi Floodway might open for third time in history

Because of the alarming rising levels seen on Mississippi River, Bloomberg informs that the Morganza Floodway may be opened for the third time in the history, increasing the possibilities of flooding a large part of rural Louisiana and affecting refineries in the region.

The river has been high or flooding from October, as huge rainfalls have slowed crop planting in the Great Plains and the upper Midwest; Thus, the Army Corps of Engineers could be forced to open the floodway, to divert water.

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https://safety4sea.com/mississippi-floodway-might-open-for-third-time-in-history/

Rotterdam industry cuts its CO2 emissions in 2018

For the second year in a row, industry in the Port of Rotterdam has released less CO2 into the atmosphere. This becomes clear from new figures presented by the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEA). The sector has reduced its emissions by 13.6%, namely 4.2 million tonnes over the course of the past two years.

The key driver of this decrease is the closure of several outdated coal-fired plants in mid-2017. However, the power stations that burn natural gas were used more often, which led them to...

https://safety4sea.com/rotterdam-industry-cuts-its-co2-emissions-in-2018/

Storage tanks at Deer Park Complex catch fire

Six petrochemical storage tanks caught fire at the International Terminal Co. storage farm at Houston’s sprawling Deer Park refining complex, on March 17. The fire spread quickly, and managed to affect a total of seven filled. These tanks include gasoline, xylene, naphtha and lubricant base oil.

The fire started from a single tank, before quickly spreading to a second one. A day after the beginning of the fire,  seven of the 242 tanks were affected. However, according to local media, only six...

https://safety4sea.com/storage-tanks-at-deer-park-complex-catch-fire/

Hainan refinery ships low sulphur marine fuel

Sinopec’s subsidiary refinery in Singapore’s province of Hainan delivered its first shipment of low-sulphur bunker fuel, complying with upcoming IMO 2020 sulphur cap regulation. Namely, a ship with 2,200 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel departed the Hainan refinery in late February heading to Ningbo on the east coast.

According to local media, the fuel will be put to pilot use at a maritime institution in Shanghai.

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The Hainan plant is currently the second refinery...

https://safety4sea.com/hainan-refinery-ships-low-sulphur-marine-fuel/

Greek oil refiner readies for 2020 sulphur cap

Hellenic Petroleum, one of Greece’s biggest oil refiners, informed on February 28 that two of its three refineries are already ready to comply with the 2020 sulphur cap. Specifically, its refineries in Elefsina and Thessaloniki have adjusted to the new rules.

Speaking about this development, Deputy Chief Executive officer Andreas Shiamishis, said that Hellenic Petroleum is ready to comply with the 2020 sulphur cap, which will reduce the sulphur content on marine fuels to 0.5%. In fact, two of...

https://safety4sea.com/greek-oil-refiner-readies-for-2020-sulphur-cap/

IUMI obliges refineries to conduct testing on low sulphur fuels

IUMI, the International Union of Marine Insurance, forces refineries to test on low sulphur fuels ahead of the introduction of the global sulphur cap on 2020. IUMI stated that fuel testing is undertaken by the end-user but this has to change.

Specifically, IUMI reported that it is concerned that incidents on fuel contamination are increasing.

Moreover, the Union addressed that refineries should be compelled to conduct testing and confirm the delivery of non-contaminated fuel.

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https://safety4sea.com/iumi-obliges-refineries-to-conduct-testing-on-low-sulphur-fuels/

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