Houthis attack ARAMCO refinery in Riyadh using drone

MOSCOW (MRC) - The Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen said that one of its drones had attacked the Saudi state oil company ARAMCO's refinery in Riyadh, according to Houthi-run al-Masira TV, based in Yemen, as per Reuters.

"Our drone air forces have targeted the refinery of ARAMCO company in Riyadh," a tweet on al-Masira account's said.

Aramco earlier said its fire control teams and the Saudi civil defence had contained a limited fire that erupted in the early evening in a storage containers at the refinery.
MRC

Meridian Energy Group begins civil construction of Davis Refinery

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Meridian Energy Group, Inc., announced that the company has executed a contract with SEH Design|Build, Inc., a subsidiary of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. with an office in Bismarck, North Dakota, for the performance of site and civil design and construction services for the Davis Refinery, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This announcement comes a month after the North Dakota Department of Health – Air Quality Division issued Meridian the Permit to Construct for the Davis Refinery. SEH D|B will take on a significant portion of the project, executing grading and other site work activity that is necessary for the refinery.

SEH D|B will lead civil construction activities by refining site grading plans to establish final grades and contours. Initial construction activities will include the installation of erosion control devices, stormwater pond development and ditch shaping to establish vegetation and ensure runoff will be addressed before erosive issues develop to protect surrounding areas and existing waterways.

Dan Hedrington, SEH Principal and Senior Project Manager, had this to say: "My colleagues and I are thrilled to continue our work with Meridian Energy Group on the Davis Refinery project. This is truly a history-making event and we are eager to get started on the site work. The Davis project is an extremely environmentally sound project, and will no doubt positively impact the refining industry, North Dakota and its residents."

The contract with SEH D|B employs a team of local subcontractors from Belfield and surrounding areas. Martin Construction Inc., Dickinson, North Dakota’s premier earthwork construction company, will be the primary site developers for the civil construction. Martin Construction Inc., President Kurt Martin commented, “It’s exciting to be part of a project that brings economic stability to western North Dakota and features key advancements to cleaner refinery methods."

ABC Fencing, of Belfield, North Dakota will be responsible for the installation of erosion control devices and installation of perimeter fencing designed for safety and security around the Davis site. Allan Richard, ABC Fencing CEO on the Davis Project, stated, "We are very excited as a company, and more importantly as members of the community, to see this project get off the ground. I believe everyone should look at the Davis Refinery as an opportunity to grow our small businesses, and a chance to recover some of the commerce that has left our neighborhood, such as a grocery store. Belfield, the surrounding areas and businesses deserve to have a chance to reap some of the benefits the refinery can offer."

William Prentice, CEO of Meridian, said, “It is great to be finally beginning site work for Davis, and to be working with these fine local companies as we get the project moving. We already owe a lot to these firms. ABC Fencing has been involved in the Davis Refinery from the start, and Martin Construction has provided valuable guidance during construction planning for Davis. SEH has been instrumental in moving the project forward, not only in general site planning and engineering, but mostly in their involvement in the permitting of the Davis Refinery. We are grateful to these firms, and proud to be continuing the relationship."
MRC

Covestro plans EUR100m global film production expansion

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Covestro intends to significantly expand its global film production to meet the growing demand in all regions. In particular, capacity expansions are planned at Map Ta Phut, Thailand, Guangzhou, China, South Deerfield, USA, and Dormagen, Germany, as per the company's press release.

The total investment of more than 100 million euros also includes the expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics. According to current planning, over 100 new jobs will be created worldwide for the operation of the new plants. The high-quality semi-finished products are used in the automotive, medical technology and security card industries, amongst others.

"With this capacity expansion, we are investing in promising technologies and applications," says Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro. "The innovative high-tech materials offer solutions for future challenges and deliver their contribution to making the world a brighter place."

"We want to expand our global film production as quickly as possible to meet the growing demand in the regions," explains Michael Friede, global head of the Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties segment. "With modern and efficient production facilities, we want to offer our customers growth opportunities and strengthen them in their competitive environment. "

One of the new production facilities is being built in Map Ta Phut in Thailand and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. It is based on modern coextrusion technology.

At the Guangzhou site in China, the focus will initially be on converting the existing coextrusion line. The first new capacities are to be available there as early as mid-2019. In a second phase, capacity is also to be expanded there. In South Deerfield, Massachusetts, measures to increase efficiency and quality are already being implemented.

Covestro is also building new coextrusion lines in Dormagen, which are scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020. Only a year ago, the company commissioned a new production line there for high-quality, multilayer flat films, including infrastructure and logistics facilities.
MRC

PVC imports to Belarus rose by 24% in January-May

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of unmixed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into Belarus increased to 14,800 tonnes in the first five months of this year, up 24% year on year, according to MRC DataScope.

According to the statistical committee of the Republic of Belarus, local converters significantly increased their purchasing of PVC in May 2018 after poor March and April. May imports were 3,200 tonnes, compared to 2,100 tonnes a month earlier.
Thus, imports of unmixed PVC grew in the first five months of 2018 to 14,100 tonnes from 11,400 tonnes a year earlier, with local windows producers accounting for the main increase in demand.

Russian producers with the share of 89% of the Belarusian market were the key suppliers of resin to Belarus in January-May. Producers from Germany and Ukraine were the second and third largest suppliers, respectively.


MRC

US agency continues probe of Husky Superior refinery blast

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is analyzing metal shrapnel from an April explosion at a Husky Energy Inc refinery in Wisconsin that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents as it continues to investigate the cause of the blast, the agency’s chief said Reuters.

The metal shrapnel blown out from the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) at the refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, tore through a tank containing hot asphalt, which spread fire through the plant, Kristen Kulinowski, the safety board’s interim executive, said.

The metallurgical analysis may determine what caused the explosion.

"It’s a painstaking process as much of the metal is covered with asphalt," Kulinowski said.

The refinery has remained shut since the explosion on April 26.

Husky spokeswoman Kim Guttormson said there is no date for the restart of the refinery, but the company may provide an update on its July 26 conference call on second-quarter earnings.

The CSB has not released control of the FCCU to Husky, board spokeswoman Hillary Cohen said. Another update on the investigation will be issued in August.

Like the National Transportation Safety Board, the CSB has no regulatory or enforcement authority but recommends changes in industry practices and regulations based on its investigations.
MRC