Fuel demand shock threatens future of Australian oil refineries

MOSCOW (MRC) -- A coronavirus-driven collapse in fuel demand is threatening Australia’s oil refining industry, just as supply chain disruptions wrought by the pandemic have focused the government on the need to shore up fuel security, reported Reuters.

Already dependent on imports for more than half its fuel needs after the closure of four refineries since 2003, industry and analysts say at least one of the country’s four remaining refineries could close unless the government steps in.

Pandemic lockdowns decimated demand for gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and shipping fuel, hitting refiners that only recently enjoyed a return to profitability after years in the red.

“When the global margin environment weakens and gets tougher, the threat of closure definitely increases,” said Sushant Gupta, head of Asia Pacific downstream oil and gas research at consultants Wood Mackenzie.

Seeing an existential threat facing the four refineries - owned by global majors BP Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp, and Australian-listed Ampol Ltd and Viva Energy - the government stepped in last month.

As well as seeking proposals to build fuel storage, Energy Minister Angus Taylor launched talks with the industry on how to shore up the refineries, aiming to “protect Australia’s national sovereignty”.

“I’m sure the government is very keen to make sure the country doesn’t lose the majority of them,” said Mark Samter, an analyst at MST Marquee.

It’s already tough for Australia’s four ageing plants to compete with Asia’s newer, mega refineries.

Combined, the four refineries have a capacity of just 464,000 barrels per day (bpd), compared with Asia’s biggest refinery, the 1.24 million bpd Jamnagar plant in India.

There is also some uncertainty over the majors’ long-term commitment to refining in Australia, with Exxon having put long-held local oil and gas assets up for sale and BP’s energy priorities shifting.

Critically, the pandemic has smashed earnings just as the refiners face decisions on whether to invest a total of A$1 billion (USD690 million) to upgrade their plants to produce gasoline with lower sulfur content from 2027. Work would have to begin in 2022 to meet the deadline.

“Whilst we support the investment and support the outcomes it will deliver, it is an investment that’s not going to deliver any extra return for the refinery, therefore it’s a difficult one to make, and it’s obviously a sizable one,” Viva Energy Chief Executive Scott Wyatt told Reuters.

Exxon Mobil Australia Chairman Nathan Fay noted the “challenges” in competing with Asia’s big refiners at an energy conference last month.

Options to help the industry could include direct subsidies for plant upgrades, a government-underwritten minimum refining margin, or fuel excise relief, Samter said.

Viva’s Wyatt said the government could also provide incentives for refiners to produce higher quality gasoline earlier than 2027.

Another option could be to skip the expensive refinery upgrades and instead run at lower rates locally while importing higher quality fuel as there will likely be a global gasoline surplus, said WoodMac’s Gupta.

If any refineries close, the most likely would be Exxon’s Altona facility in Victoria state, the oldest, and Ampol’s Lytton plant in Queensland, which has already been shut for extended maintenance, said Samter.

Ampol sees no problem with relying on imports.

“We remain of the view that there is no issue with security of supply, and we have very secure supply chains,” Ampol Chief Executive Matt Halliday told Reuters.

“But we also understand that the government is looking at supply security through a slightly different lens at the moment.”

As MRC informed before, boiler work at the ExxonMobil-operated 830,000-metric tons/year ethylene plant at Mossmorran, UK, was scheduled for completion in June, 2020. Two of the three boilers at the plant exploded in August 2019, resulting in the plant being taken offline until the end of February. OPIS sources said in May that the plant was currently able to operate at full capacity with two boilers in operation but that the third boiler would be working by June.

We remind that in September 2019, ExxonMobil announced plans to spend GBP140 million over the next two years in an additional investment program at its Fife ethylene plant, which has a capacity of more than 800,000 t/y.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 595,170 tonnes in the first five month of 2020, up by 10% year on year. Deliveries of all ethylene polymers, except for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), rose partially because of an increase in capacity utilisation at ZapSibNeftekhim. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market was 457,930 tonnes in January-May 2020 (calculated by the formula production minus export plus import). Deliveris of exclusively PP random copolymer increased.
MRC

PPG results tumble on COVID-19 impacts, but beat estimates

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PPG Industries today reported second-quarter net income from continuing operations down 63.3% year-on-year (YOY), to $99 million, on net sales down 25%, to USD3.0 billion, said Chemweek.

Adjusted net income declined tk% YOY, to USD235 million, or 99 cents/share, ahead of analysts’ consensus estimate of 71 cents/share, as reported by Refinitiv (New York, New York). Selling prices were up 2% YOY, but volumes fell 24%. “The lower sales volumes reflect the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” PPG says.

“The strongest performance came from our global architectural coatings businesses, which was driven by increased do-it-yourself (DIY) demand of PPG paint products in all major regions,” says PPG chairman and CEO Michael McGarry. “During the quarter, several of our businesses in China, including automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coatings, general industrial coatings, and protective and marine coatings, achieved higher sales volumes year-over-year supported by a recovery in Chinese economic activity. Year-over-year demand was lower across most businesses in other major global regions, but our sequential monthly sales volumes improved in each region during the quarter."

Performance coatings segment sales declined 15% YOY, to USD2.1 billion, while segment operating income also fell 15%, to USD362 million. Volumes fell 15% and selling prices rose 3%, with sales boosted by currency translation. DIY architectural coatings sales were strong, but most other parts of the business reported declines, with the largest drops seen in aerospace coatings and automotive refinish.

Industrial coatings segment sales declined 40% YOY, to USD950 million, while segment income fell 85%, to USD34 million. Volumes were down 38%, while selling prices rose slightly. Automotive OEM coatings sales were down 50% YOY, and general industrial coatings sales were down 35% YOY, both due to COVID-19 shutdowns. Packaging coatings were a bright spot, with modes sales increases, PPG says.

"Looking ahead, we expect overall economic activity to continue to recover, although at a varied pace across end-use markets and regions given the uncertainty around the ongoing effects of the pandemic,” McGarry says. “We anticipate positive overall global architectural coatings demand trends to continue, with some moderation from the elevated DIY demand experienced in the second quarter. We expect continued, solid recovery patterns in automotive OEM and general industrial coatings demand in the U.S. and Europe, but still below 2019 levels. Automotive refinish and aerospace coatings sales are expected to be lower until travel and vehicle traffic density return toward more normal levels."

PPG expects aggregate sales volumes for the third quarter to decline 8-15% YOY.

As MRC informed earlier, PPG has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Industria Chimica Reggiana (ICR), an Italian manufacturer of paints and coatings for the automotive refinish and light industrial coatings industries.

Russia's output of chemical products rose by 4.4% year on year in May 2020 . Thus, production of basic chemicals increased year on year by 5.4% in the first five months of 2020. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the output in January-May.
MRC

Mubadala set for exclusive talks with Petrobras to buy Bahia refinery

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Abu Dhabi’s investment fund Mubadala Investment Co will enter into exclusive talks with Petrobras to purchase Brazil’s second-largest refinery, reported Reuters with reference to the Brazilian state-owned oil company's statement in a securities filing.

Reuters was the first to report earlier on Thursday that Mubadala was on an inside track to acquire the refinery, known as Rlam, after beating back competition from India’s Essar Group, according to three people close to the negotiations.

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as Petrobras is formally known, confirmed in a filing that Mubadala had submitted the best offer and was invited to negotiate.

Mubadala will discuss the contract terms with Brazil’s Petrobras in an exclusive negotiation expected to take several weeks, the people said on Thursday, declining to be named as the talks were not public at the time.

If the contract changes significantly, Petrobras will call back competitors for a second round of bids based on price, the sources said.

Indian conglomerate Essar also made a binding offer for Rlam, as Reuters reported in June, and could compete again for the refinery if Petrobras decides to retender it.

Mubadala and Essar did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Petrobras did not provide any other details outside its securities filing.

A final winner will only be disclosed by Petrobras after all stages are concluded.

Rlam, which is based in the northern state of Bahia and has a 330,000 barrels a day capacity, is the first of a group of eight refineries Petrobras plans to sell to end its near monopoly in fuel processing in Brazil.

As MRC reported previously, Petrobras may need more than a year to divest its stake in Braskem, said Andrea Almeida, Petrobras CFO, in early July. She said during the company’s recent webinar that Petrobras plans to give more time for potential investors to make offers for the company's assets, including for its refineries and stakes at its petrochemical and fuel distribution affiliates. The divestment of Petrobras's stake in Braskem in 2020 would be desirable but "might not be possible" as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed market conditions, she said. The company plans to close part of its refinery sales in 2021. In December, Roberto Castello Branco, CEO of Petrobras, said that he wants to sell the company’s stake in Braskem within a year. Petrobras owns 32.15% of Braskem.

We remind that Braskem is no longer pursuing a petrochemical project, which would have included an ethane cracker, in West Virginia. And the company is seeking to sell the land that would have housed the cracker. The project, announced in 2013, had been on Braskem's back burner for several years.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 595,170 tonnes in the first five month of 2020, up by 10% year on year. Deliveries of all ethylene polymers, except for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), rose partially because of an increase in capacity utilisation at ZapSibNeftekhim. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market was 457,930 tonnes in January-May 2020 (calculated by the formula production minus export plus import). Deliveris of exclusively PP random copolymer increased.

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

Stepan to acquire surfactant business in Mexico from Clariant

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Stepan Co. says that, through subsidiaries in Mexico, it has entered into an agreement with Clariant (Mexico) to acquire Clariant's anionic surfactant business and associated sulfation equipment at Santa Clara, Mexico, reported Chemweek.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of certain other requirements. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"The purchase of Clariant's surfactant business in Mexico will enhance our ability to support our customers' growth in the Mexican consumer and functional markets for surfactants," said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Stepan. "We plan to transition manufacturing from Clariant's Santa Clara site to Stepan's Mexican sites located in Ecatepec and Matamoros over the coming months."

As MRC reported earlier, in June 2020, TechnipFMC and Clariant Catalysts entered into a joint development agreement for the demonstration and commercialisation of Clariant’s new state-of-the-art AcryloMax propylene ammoxidation catalyst for the production of acrylonitrile (ACN).

Besides, in May 2020, Clariant’s CATOFIN catalysts was selected by Advanced Global Investment Co. (AGIC), a joint venture between Advanced Petrochemical Company (APC) and SK Group, to build a PDH facility in the Middle East.

Propylene is the main feedstock for the production of polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, PP shipments to the Russian market was 457,930 tonnes in January-May 2020 (calculated by the formula production minus export plus import). Deliveris of exclusively PP random copolymer increased.

Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.
MRC

Thyssenkrupp and BASF sign development agreement for STAR propane dehydrogenation technology

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Thyssenkrupp and BASF said that they have signed a joint development agreement to expand their cooperation on the STAR dehydrogenation process, said Chemweek.

The proprietary technology developed by Thyssenkrupp produces propylene from propane feedstock, or iso-butylene from iso-butane feedstock. Under the collaboration, the partners aim to significantly increase the resource and energy efficiency through targeted improvements in catalyst and plant design. Thyssenkrupp will focus on process and BASF on catalyst development. The aim is to lower plant investment and operating costs and to reduce CO2 emissions in the in the future.

"…This cooperation combines BASF’s expertise as a world-leading catalyst manufacturer with our plant engineering competence,” says Uwe Boltersdorf, head of chemical & process technologies sales at Thyssenkrupp. “With our combined knowhow we can further reduce consumption of energy and resources. New catalyst shapes will enable a smaller reformer design, which also lowers the investment costs of dehydrogenation plants."

Detlef Ruff, senior vice president/process catalysts at BASF, says, “The cooperation between BASF and Thyssenkrupp is another example of our successful approach to collaboration with engineering companies and technology providers. We contribute our unique knowhow as a world-leading catalyst manufacturer, and together with our partners, drive the implementation of new processes and innovative future technologies."

"We will specifically address topics like reducing precious metal content. This lowers catalyst costs and additionally reduces feedstock and energy consumption through increased selectivity," said Adrian Steinmetz, vice president/global chemical catalysts & adsorbents at BASF.

We remind that BASF has restarted its No. 1 steam cracker following a maintenance turnaorund. Thus, the company resumed operations at the plant on September 30, 2019. The plant was shut for maintenance in mid-August, 2019. Located at Ludwigshafen in Germany, the No. 1 cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 235,000 mt/year and a propylene production capacity of 125,000 mt/year.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing PE and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 721,290 tonnes in the first four month of 2020, up by 4% year on year. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) shipments grew partially because of the increased capacity utilisation at ZapSibNeftekhim. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 347,440 tonnes in January-April 2020 (calculated by the formula production minus export plus import). Supply exclusively of PP random copolymer increased.

BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries. BASF generated sales of EUR59 billion in 2019.

MRC