HDPE imports to Russia fell by 37% over ten months of 2015

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The overall imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) totalled 158,300 tonnes over the first ten months of 2015, down by 37% year on year. HDPE for extrusion blow moulding (EBM) and pipe extrusion accounted for the greatest decrease in imports, according MRC DataScope report.


The October HDPE imports to Russia rose to 17,900 tonnes from 17,200 tonnes a month earlier because of the increased shipments of pipe grade and film grade polyethylene (PE). The overal HDPE imports totalled 158,300 tonnes from January to October 2015 versus 253,100 tonnes a year earlier. Such a major fall in imports was caused by a stable performance of Russian producers and weaker demand in certain consumption sectors.

The supply structure by consumption sectors looks the following way over the stated period.


The October imports of HDPE for extrusion coating of large diameter steel pipes grew to 1,800 tonnes from 1,200 tonnes a month earlier. The overall imports of this PE grade decreased to 41,800 tonnes over the first ten months of the year, down by 14% year on year, partially because of the increased production of Metaclay.

The last month's imports of injection moulding HDPE dropped to 3,100 tonnes from 4,100 tonnes in September because of lower supplies from Uzbekistan. Imports of injection moulding PE totalled 38,400 tonnes from January to October 2015, down by 3% year on year.

The October imports of pipe grade HDPE rose to 6,400 tonnes from 5,500 tonnes in September. The shutdowns for maintenance at Russian plants were the main cause of higher imports of pipe grade PE. The overall imports of pipe grade PE into Russia totalled 32,300 tonnes over the first ten months of the year versus 74,100 tonnes a year earlier.

The last month's imports of HDPE for EBM fell to 1,300 tonnes from 2,500 tonnes in September. The overall imports of this PE grade to Russia totalled 20,700 tonnes over the stated period versus 46,000 tonnes a year earlier.

The October imports of film grade HDPE rose to 3,300 tonnes from 2,100 tonnes a month earlier. Imports of film grade HDPE slumped to 14,100 tonnes over the first ten months of the year from 33,200 tonnes a year earlier.

The overall HDPE imports into other consumption sectors, including the extrusion of cable products, totalled 11,100 tonnes from January to October 2015 versus 11,600 tonnes in 2014.

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Ruwais Refinery expansion project commissioned with 100% production capacity

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has announced the commissioning of Ruwais Refinery Expansion Project with a 100 per cent production capacity whereas the crude distillation unit and all associated hydro treating units were commissioned to process 417,000 BPSD (Barrels Per Stream Day) of Murban crude, which is a light mix of onshore crude in a single atmospheric distillation unit, said Gulfnews.

"Commissioning Ruwais Refinery with a full capacity is considered as a major milestone that would boost the local refining industry and attain optimal integration with the country’s petrochemical industry as the new refinery will be producing Propylene, in addition to distillation products that are used as a quality fuel like gasoline, jet fuel and gas oil products," Jasem Ali Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer of Takreer said.

The company has recently exported 105 shipments of fine quality distillates to the global markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

One of the biggest shipments to date consisted of 122,000 tons naphtha, while the average shipment of low sulphur gas oil (less than 10 PPM) and jet fuel were 95,000 tonnes each, the company said. Two propylene shipments of 7,000 tons each were also exported to global markets.

The Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC), which is the key unit of the expansion project, has already been commissioned with 75 per cent production capacity. Work is ongoing to increase the production capacity to 100 per cent, the company said.

The unit produces Propylene, Alkaline and gasoline. The RFCC Unit and its associated refining units also aim to improve the heavy residues from the crude oil distillation unit. "The new refinery was designed to double Takreer’ s current capacity to enable the company to refine about 900,000 bpd of crude oil and to maximise the production of propylene," Al Sayegh said in a statement.

Ruwais Refinery Expansion project consists of key processing units like distillation, hydro treatment, gas treatment, catalytic cracking unit, ethylene recovery unit, olefins conversion unit to produce propylene, alkylation unit, and several petrochemical units as well as support facilities that include utilities, off-site facilities for storage and mixing and the jetty area.

As MRC informed previously, in January 2014, Honeywell was awarded four contracts worth a combined USD40 million over an 18-month duration for the Abu Dhabi Polymer Company’s Borouge 3 petrochemicals complex in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. Honeywell will be the main automation contractor (MAC) for this project, providing Linde and other engineering, procurement and construction (EPCs) contractors involved in the project with integrated control and safety systems.

Takreer was established in 1999 as a public joint-stock company to take over the responsibility of refining operations previously undertaken by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). The company’s areas of operation include the refining of crude oil and condensate, supply of petroleum products and production of granulated Sulphur in compliance with domestic and international specifications.
MRC

Brazil Petrobras posts Q3 net loss of R3.76bn


MOSCOW (MRC) -- Brazilian state-led oil company Petrobras posted a loss of 3.76 billion reais (USD1.01 billion) in the third quarter as lower oil prices, a weaker Brazilian currency against the dollar and the country's worst recession in decades crimped revenue, said Reuters.

It was the third loss in five quarters at Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as Petrobras is formally known, and widely missed market expectations for a loss of about 800 million reais. A year earlier Petrobras recorded a 5.34-billion-real loss.

Net sales, or total sales minus sales taxes, fell 6.9 percent to 82.2 billion reais compared with 88.4 billion a year earlier.

Operational results, however, improved strongly. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, a key measure of cash generation known as EBITDA, rose 82 percent to 15.5 billion reais from 8.49 billion reais.

As MRC informed earlier, Brazil's state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA has announced two amendments to its contract to supply naphtha to Braskem SA, Latin America's largest petrochemical company are worth 950 million reais (USD252 million).

Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Petrobras is an integrated energy firm. Petrobras' activities include exploration, exploitation and production of oil from reservoir wells, shale and other rocks as well as refining, processing, trade and transport of oil and oil products, natural gas and other fluid hydrocarbons, in addition to other energy-related activities.
MRC

Saudi Aramco and Hyundai Heavy to align on new downstream, EPC business

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Saudi Aramco and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a general memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly collaborate on business development opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reported Hydrocarbonprocessing with reference to the officials' confirmation.

The MoU lays out a comprehensive, multi-faceted business cooperation framework in areas such as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), downstream, and the development of a casting and forging facility.

"Our two companies are global leaders in our respective industries, and the MoU cements a strategic relationship between us, with business flourishing on both sides," Nasser said. "The partnership will add greater value to the Kingdom’s economy, boost our localization efforts and help create jobs for Saudi nationals."

The MoU also covers the development of a world-class maritime yard and the advancement of maritime diesel engine manufacturing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The strategic collaboration discussion was initiated when Saudi Aramco’s board of directors visited HHI'‘s Ulsan complex in April 2015.

"The partnership between the two industrial behemoths not only means a great opportunity to enhance Korea's shipbuilding and EPC businesses, but also extends Hyundai's contribution to the Kingdom stretching back to the 1970s, when it was awarded a contract to develop the Jubail port (King Fahd industrial port) project," Chung said. "This signing is significant, as it provides the potential for the creation of another Jubail that creates tremendous growth opportunities for HHI in Saudi Arabia."

As MRC informed previously, last year, Saudi Aramco announced that its downstream investments would exceed USD100 billion over the next decade, as global demand for oil rises by a quarter in the next 25 years.

Saudi Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is a Saudi Arabian national oil and natural gas company based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco's value has been estimated at up to USD10 trillion in the Financial Times, making it the world's most valuable company. Saudi Aramco has both the largest proven crude oil reserves, at more than 260 billion barrels, and largest daily oil production.
MRC

LLDPE imports into Russia decreased by 11% in January - October 2015

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in Russia decreased to 159,600 tonnes in the first ten months of this year, down 11% year on year. Reduction in LLDPE imports resulted from the growth of domestic production and weaker demand in some sectors of the processing, according to MRC DataScope.

October LLDPE imports into the country increased to 17,900 tonnes, compared with 16,700 tonnes in September because of stronger demand from the producers of stretch films. Total LLDPE imports into Russia were 159,600 tonnes in January - October 2015, compared with 180,600 tonnes year on year. Such a serious decline in imports of this type of polyethylene resulted from reduced demand in some sectors of consumption and the growth of domestic production, in particular by Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

Structure of LLDPE supply over the reported period looked as follows.

October imports of film LLDPE in the country grew to 15,700 tonnes, compared with 13,700 tonnes in September. The main increase in imports occurred for the few large producers of stretch film. Total imports of film LLDPE in Russia in the first ten months of the year were 134,500 tonnes, compared with 155,900 tonnes year on year.

October imports of linear PE for the production of overall rotomoulded products seasonally decreased to 584 tonnes against 1,100 tonnes in September. Total imports of LLDPE for overall products by rotational moulding production in January-October significantly decreased to 8,400 tonnes, compared with 10,200 tonnes year on year. The main suppliers of PVC into Russia were producers from Asia.

Imports of LLDPE in other consumption sectors (cable extrusion, lamination of paper, moulding, etc.) in the past month fell to 1,600 tonnes against 1,900 tonnes a month earlier because of the reduction in demand in the sector of paper and lamination from producers of pipes. Total imports of LLDPE in other consumption sectors in the ten months of this year increased to 16,700 tonnes, from 14,100 tonnes year on year.


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