Petrochemicals set to be the largest driver of world oil demand

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Petrochemicals are becoming the largest drivers of global oil demand, in front of cars, planes and trucks, according to a major study by the International Energy Agency, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Petrochemicals are set to account for more than a third of the growth in world oil demand to 2030, and nearly half the growth to 2050, adding nearly 7 million barrels of oil a day by then. They are also poised to consume an additional 56 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas by 2030, and 83 bcm by 2050.

The Future of Petrochemicals is part of a new IEA series shining a light on "blind spots" of the global energy system – issues that are critical to the evolution of the energy sector but that receive less attention than they deserve. The report is among the most comprehensive reviews of the global petrochemicals sector and follows other reports in the series, including the impact of air conditioners on electricity demand, the impact of trucking on oil demand, or the role of modern bioenergy in the renewables sector.

Petrochemicals are particularly important given how prevalent they are in everyday products. They are also required to manufacture many parts of the modern energy system, including solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, thermal insulation and electric vehicles.

Demand for plastics – the key driver for petrochemicals from an energy perspective – has outpaced all other bulk materials (such as steel, aluminum, or cement), nearly doubling since 2000. Advanced economies currently use up to 20 times more plastic and up to 10 times more fertilizer than developing economies on a per capita basis, underscoring the huge potential for global growth.

The dynamism of the petrochemical industry is also driving new trends around the world. After decades of stagnation and decline, the United States has re-emerged as a low-cost location for chemicals production thanks to the shale gas revolution, and is now home to around 40% of the global ethane-based petrochemical production capacity. Meanwhile, the Middle East remains the lowest cost center for many key petrochemicals, with a host of new projects announced across the region.

Petrochemical products provide substantial benefits to society, including a growing number of applications in various cutting-edge, clean technologies critical to sustainable energy systems. However, the production, use, and disposal of petrochemical-derived products present a variety of climate, air quality and water pollution challenges that need to be addressed.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Indonesia’s Pertamina said unblended biodiesel had only been distributed to around half of its fuel depots across the archipelago, despite a programme launched this month for more widespread use of the biofuel, as per Reuters.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy rolled out rules this month requiring all diesel fuel to contain at least 20 percent bio content, among government efforts to boost palm oil consumption, cut Indonesia’s fuel import bill and support the rupiah.

In Indonesia, the bio portion of biodiesel is made with fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from palm oil.

As of Friday, Pertamina had only received FAME at 69 of its 112 fuel depots in Indonesia, company spokesman Adiatma Sardjito said. However, Sardjito said he was currently unable to provide data on the volume of FAME distributed so far.

“We receive shipments of FAME at terminals and then distribute it,” Sardjito said, referring to a tender process for purchasing FAME from suppliers that is supervised by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

“More than half of Pertamina terminals are ready to receive (FAME),” he said, adding that most of the terminals that had not received FAME are in eastern Indonesia.

Deputy Energy Minister Arcandra Tahar said there were “technical problems” related to FAME distribution and storage, but these were “being sorted out”.

Indonesia’s unblended biodiesel production is estimated to reach 5 million tonnes this year, an industry association said in August.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has introduced two new gauges of ULTEM UTF120 polyetherimide (PEI) dielectric film for high-temperature, professional-grade capacitor applications, as per the company's press release.

These new additions of 7µm and 10µm (micron) thicknesses to SABIC’s industry-leading portfolio of ULTEM UTF120 film respond to customers’ requirements for film that can meet the voltage requirements of different capacitors and open the door for new design options.

SABIC’s ULTEM UTF120 film technology offers important advantages for capacitor applications, such as high dielectric constant and insulation resistance and low dielectric loss. The two new grades address the need for higher-voltage applications that require thicker film with greater storage capacity.

These new ULTEM UTF120 film grades are part of an expanding portfolio that already features a 5µm ULTEM UTF120 film product, which was launched last year. Today, SABIC is the only materials supplier offering extruded PEI film at these thicknesses.

"Today’s power electronics applications demand higher performance and greater reliability than ever before," said Stephanie Gathman, director, Emerging Applications, SABIC. "SABIC is actively investing in new high-temperature film technologies that offer distinct advantages over previous options, including better thermal and electrical stability and longer service life. With the introduction of these two new ULTEM UTF120 film grades, we are continuing to deliver on our strategy of building a broad portfolio that can support a full range of capacitor voltages and energy densities."

As MRC informed previously, in November 2017, Plastics-maker Sabic developed new materials for customers producing LED automotive lighting parts. LEXAN HF4010SR resin was one of the new offerings. This polycarbonate (PC) material can make it possible for customers to develop complex headlight bezels with enhanced aesthetics. Sabic also added new grades to its existing LEXAN XHT resin line, which can offer improved flow at high temperatures compared to other high-heat polycarbonate materials available today.

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) ranks among the world's top petrochemical companies. The company is among the worldпїЅs market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Wood has secured a new multi-million dollar contract with Duqm Refinery and Petrochemicals Industries to provide two Terrace Wall double-fired delayed coker heaters at their refinery on the south eastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman, said Hydrocarbonengineering.

The award follows on from Wood’s successful delivery of the engineering and process design phase, the technology package and licence of the company’s SYDEC (selective yield delayed coking) technology.

Effective immediately, the contract will be delivered by Wood’s process and technology specialists based in New Jersey, US, and builds on Wood’s strong contribution to the Duqm Refinery to date, including the successful delivery of the overall facility pre-FEED, FEED and ongoing project management.

Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions business, comments: "We are delighted to continue to support the development of Duqm refinery and will draw on our experience of delivering our market-leading delayed coking technology and proprietary equipment at greenfield refineries across the globe.

"Wood has an established track record in the design and development of fired heaters spanning more than a century and this contract also expands our footprint further in the Middle East."

The contract is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company LLC is a joint venture between Oman Oil Company and Kuwait Petroleum International. On completion, the refinery and petrochemical complex will have the capacity to process around 230 000 bopd.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Owners of an idled oil refinery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which was once one of the world's largest refineries, plan to invest USD1.4 billion to refurbish and restart a portion of the plant, reported Reuters with reference to their statement.

ArcLight Capital Partners, a private equity firm that owns 80 percent of Limetree Bay Terminals LLC, expects the former Hovensa plant to be able to process 200,000 barrels per day of crude and deliver fuels to market by January 2020, officials told a news conference in St. Croix.

The Boston-based company spent two years studying the market and developed "a refinery profile we see thriving in the current marketplace," said John Erhard, an ArcLight partner.

The refinery would supply low-sulfur fuels under an International Maritime Organization mandate that begins in 2020. The Caribbean is facing declining fuel supplies from Venezuela, which has sharply cut its shipments to the region.

In the 1970s, the refinery on St. Croix was able to process 650,000 bpd. It halted processing in 2012, filed for bankruptcy three years later and was sold to ArcLight and trading firm Freepoint Commodities.

The two companies run Limetree Bay Terminals, a 25 million barrel oil storage and marine terminal on the site.

As part of its agreement with the USVI government, Limetree has purchased 225 acres of land and more than 100 homes surrounding the refinery to facilitate the restart, US Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp said in an interview.

"They've already begun spending money," Mapp said. "Assets and resources are already on their way."

Reopening the refinery will be a boon to the US Virgin Islands, which has struggled economically since Hovensa closed in 2012.

The government will collect USD600 million in revenue from the refinery over its first 10 years in operation, Mapp said.

Officials did not discuss BP Plc's potential involvement in the refinery restart, but two sources familiar with the matter said the British oil company is in negotiations to supply crude to the plant.

The deal under discussion would be similar to a supply and marketing arrangement BP struck with NARL Refining for the 115,000-bpd Come by Chance refinery in Newfoundland, one of the sources said. That deal soured over two years ago.

ArcLight and Freepoint officials were unavailable for comment. BP spokesman Mike Abendhoff declined to comment on its potential role.

As MRC wrote before, in late September 2018, BP Plc shut the large crude distillation unit (CDU) at its 413,500 barrel per day (bpd) Whiting, Indiana, refinery to begin an overhaul. BP plans to keep the 240,000 bpd Pipestill 12 CDU shut through late October for the planned overhaul.
MRC