The 2018 Downstream Countdown: The Final Five
Rising refining costs, stricter marine fuel regulations and a new petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia were some of the topics that factored into Rigzone’s five most popular downstream articles for 2018. To discover the other topics, check out the final installment of the 2018 Downstream Countdown below.
5. Oil at $70 Proves Too Hot to Handle for Some European Refiners
Rising crude oil prices at the beginning of the year were cause for concern in the European refining community, according to this Bloomberg article. Citing Barclays, the January article notes that crude oil in $70 territory was contributing to declining margins and weakening demand for European refers. The slump was particularly evident in the fuel oil and diesel markets, and efforts to curb refinery runs were possible, the article added.
4. Shippers Fear Engine Failures as Industry is Forced to Upgrade its Fuel
As this Bloomberg article from September puts it, global shipping companies are preparing for a “once-in-a-generation overhaul.” Specifically, beginning on Jan. 1, 2020, the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) will require most of the world’s merchant fleet to use fuel with a dramatically lower sulfur content: up to 0.5 percent sulfur compared to 3.5 percent currently. The article notes that refiners are developing different approaches to produce marine fuels that meet the stricter IMO standard, and shipping company interests are worried that the lack of a single type of fuel could create serious operational challenges for them.
3. Oil Major Total and Aramco Sign $5B Deal to Build Jubail Petrochem Complex
In April, Total and Saudi Aramco signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a $5 billion petrochemical complex at the companies’ 440,000-barrel per day Satorp refinery in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. As this Reuters article notes, the mixed-feed steam cracker complex will be able to produce 1.5 million tons per year of ethylene and related products.
2. Rich Rewards Await Top Oil Refiners as Ships Made to Switch Fuel
A few weeks before Reuters released the fourth-highest-ranked article above, Bloomberg produced this related piece. Specifically, the Bloomberg article describes how refiners with more complex facilities are already well-positioned to supply the world shipping industry with the lower-sulfur marine gasoil that they will need to comply with IMO’s looming stricter marine fuel standards. “They’ll print money,” said a Wood Mackenzie executive interviewed by Bloomberg. “If the shipping industry needs more clean fuels, then that’s good for refining.”
1. Survey Reveals Top Downstream Employers Amid Transition
Rigzone’s most popular downstream-focused article for 2018 is this review of the 10 most desirable downstream employers, based on results of the 2018 Ideal Employer Survey. As this staff-written article notes, downstream companies are at varying stages of readiness in terms of adapting to an evolving energy landscape shaped by factors such as electric vehicles and declining gasoline demand.
Note that Rigzone’s 2018 Downstream Countdown lists the 15 most popular downstream-focused articles as of Dec. 13. If you would like to help determine which companies land on the next list of the top downstream firms to work for, you can do so by completing the Rigzone 2019 Ideal Employer Survey.
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