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EPA plans audit of renewable fuel credit system

  • Spanish Market: Biofuels, Oil products
  • 21/09/21

US environmental regulators are stepping up efforts to root out fraud in the trading of renewable fuel blending credits that some small refiners have called a drag on the industry.

The Office of Inspector General for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to audit trading of invalid Renewable Identification Numbers, a type of credit used to signify compliance with federal fuel blending standards, according to an EPA letter dated 17 September.

RIN credits, which are generated when renewable fuels are blended with traditional fuels for the US transportation supply, have been the subject of controversy since they were introduced as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard in the mid-2000's. Small independent refiners, which typically lack blending capabilities, have alleged the credits disproportionately affect them, while stakeholders on all sides of the issue have called for more transparency into RIN generation, trading and regulation.

In the audit, the EPA inspector will evaluate whether the agency's Moderated Transaction System used to verify RIN trades includes "controls to identify and reduce the generation and trading of invalid RINs."

The US over the past decade has successfully prosecuted a number of RIN fraud cases.

The EPA's latest probe into RIN trading was identified earlier this year as one measure the agency could use to ensure better data reliability as part of its fiscal year 2021 oversight plan. The inquiry comes at a time when rising prices for credits have prompted some obligated parties to step away from the market, while political calls for reformation of the credit system continue to increase.

Prices for RINs, as reflected by the Argus-assessed Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) benchmark, reached all-time highs this summer, topping 20¢/USG, amid uncertainty about how the new administration of President Joe Biden planned to handle renewable fuel mandates after a raft of lawsuits from US refiners and biofuel interests. The RVO so far this month has averaged 16.08¢/USG, down from the recent record but still more than triple the price 16 months ago and more than five times the average price in 2019.

Several refiners, including Delek, have called RIN credits an "overhang on the industry." Delta Airlines, owner of the 185,000 b/d Trainer refinery outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, responded in July to a question about its RIN obligations by saying it was not planning to "spend good cash chasing a marketplace that isn't transparent."

The credit compliance system is also a hot-button political issue in states with strong refining and union interests, as well as those with the agricultural interests backing renewable fuels production. On 16 September, Pennsylvania lawmakers wrote a letter to President Biden claiming that the Trainer refinery's operators will be required this year to "spend twice as much to comply with the RFS program as it spent to purchase the entire company only ten years ago," in a plea to the White House to provide the EPA "with a stronger hand in stabilizing RINs pricing."

Conversely, biofuel lobby Growth Energy in a letter today asked the EPA to set "ambitious" biofuel blending targets when it updates RFS blending obligations later this year.

This is not the first time potential RIN fraud has come under the eye of US oversight bodies. In 2019, the US Government Accountability Office drew attention to "opportunities for fraud" in the trading of computerized RIN numbers, such as the double counting of RINs or generation of RINs for biofuels that do not exist.


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11/10/24

Florida fuel supply edging toward normal post-storm

Florida fuel supply edging toward normal post-storm

Houston, 11 October (Argus) — Some Florida fuel terminals and a major refined products pipeline expect to restore operations over the weekend thanks to minimal damage from Hurricane Milton, but a return to normal in Port Tampa is being hampered by power outages. Kinder Morgan's Orlando terminal is operational but the company is still assessing its Tampa area terminals and the Central Florida Pipeline (CFPL) after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a category 3 storm late Wednesday, a spokesperson said at 3pm ET Friday. Kinder plans to have its Tampa fuels rack and 16-inch CFPL pipeline online by late Saturday and the 10-inch CFPL pipeline online by the end of the weekend. The company's three Tampa bulk terminals are likely to remain offline Friday due to widespread power outages and damage to the surrounding area. The CFPL pipeline transports gasoline, diesel, ethanol and jet fuel to Orlando, including to Orlando International Airport, and is connected to Kinder's Tampa refined products terminal that has 1.8mn bls of storage. Nearly half of Florida's supply of petroleum and refined products passes through Port Tampa Bay, the majority via waterborne cargo from the US Gulf coast. Port Tampa Bay is still assessing its land and seaside operations, port officials said this morning. It re-opened for limited operations late Thursday having avoided widespread flooding, though power outages in the area remain an issue. Global Partners' Tampa terminal is without power and running on generators, the company said today. Employees are cleaning up minor damage and Global expects the facility to be "fully operational soon". Buckeye Partners' Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, terminals are fully operational and the company is working to restore operations at its two Tampa terminals, a Buckeye spokesperson said today. Chevron is repairing damage at its Tampa terminal, but did not give a time line for a return to normal operations. The company's Port Everglades and Panama City terminals are online and selling fuels, the company said today. Citgo expects its Tampa terminal to restore operations by mid-to-late next week, the company said today. The St Petersburg-Clearwater International airport (PIE) west of Port Tampa is expected to open at 4pm ET Friday according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport further south is expected to reopen early Saturday morning. Miami airport is open and Orlando International resumed commercial flights today. Prices for Florida CBOB delivered at Tampa and Port Everglades fell by 1.87¢/USG to $2.15/USG today. Cash differentials were stable in the Florida gasoline cargo markets at Argus Gulf coast Colonial CBOB +10¢/USG. Prices for Florida ULSD delivered to Port Everglades fell by 0.44¢/USG to $2.39/USG today. Cash differentials were unchanged in the waterborne ULSD cargo markets at Argus Gulf coast Colonial ULSD +12.25¢/USG. By Nathan Risser Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Feds probing fatal Pemex Deer Park accident


11/10/24
11/10/24

Feds probing fatal Pemex Deer Park accident

Houston, 11 October (Argus) — The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are both launching independent investigations into this week's fatal accident at Pemex's 312,500 b/d Deer Park, Texas, refinery. A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release that killed two workers and injured dozens more occurred on Thursday evening at the plant located near Houston. It also led to shelter-in-place orders for surrounding communities, which have since been lifted. The CSB will investigate the causes of the fatal release, the agency said Friday. The CSB is responsible for investigating industrial accidents in the US, such as the deadly 2022 explosion at BP's Toledo refinery in Ohio and a probe into operations at Marathon's Martinez renewable diesel plant after several fires earlier this year . A representative for CSB was not immediately available for comment. OSHA — charged with enforcing compliance with federal workplace safety laws — is also investigating the incident, and has "up to six months" to complete the investigation, according to an OSHA representative. OSHA would not stop company operations during the duration of the investigation, but "could not speak for other agencies at the site," an OSHA official told Argus. The Harris County Sheriff's department has also opened an investigation into the incident. The release occurred as workers began planned maintenance on a unit. An H2S leak was detected, resulting in several units being shut down as staff sought to secure the leak. The Deer Park refinery had previously been damaged in a February 2023 fire, resulting in two weeks of repairs. A slew of accidents at Deer Park and several other Mexican state-owned Pemex's refineries in part led Fitch Ratings to downgrade Pemex's credit rating in July 2023 . By Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Pemex Deer Park refinery H2S leak kills 2: Update


11/10/24
11/10/24

Pemex Deer Park refinery H2S leak kills 2: Update

Adds comment from Mexican energy minister, context from regulatory filings. Houston, 11 October (Argus) — A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) leak at Pemex's 312,500 b/d Deer Park, Texas, refinery on 10 October killed two workers and injured 35 more. The leak occurred accidentally during maintenance, according to a regulatory filing submitted by Pemex this morning. Several units, including an amine unit, an alkylation unit, a hydrocracker and a sulphur recovery unit were promptly shut and flaring was initiated so the leak could secured. Mexican energy minister Luz Elena Gonzalez said in a press conference in Mexico City Friday morning that the refinery was expected to restart operations later today. Deadly accidents at US refineries usually require extensive regulatory investigations by federal agencies, however, which require facilities or certain units at a plant to remain shut down. H2S is an extremely hazardous gas commonly produced as a byproduct of refining, which can be processed into pure sulphur in a sulphur recovery unit (SRU) or removed by hydrotreating. Shell's Deer Park petrochemical facility, located adjacent to Pemex's refinery, said it was doing a "controlled slowdown" of its operations as of 8:52pm yesterday in response to the accident as a precaution. A flaring event was initially reported by a Deer Park Office of Emergency Management (OEM) social media account at 6:23pm ET on 10 October. A shelter in place advisory was issued for all Deer Park residents in a follow-up notice and Texas State Highway 225 running adjacent to the refinery was also closed to traffic. Areas of nearby Pasadena were also placed under a shelter in place advisory. The Deer Park shelter in place was lifted at 10pm ET. The Pemex refinery had previously reported an aromatic concentration unit (ACU) leak on 6 October. Amine units strip H2S from methane gas generated by hydrotreaters. Alkylation units produce high-octane blendstocks used in gasoline. Hydrocrackers use hydrogen, pressure, and catalyst to produce distillates and gasoline low in contaminants like sulphur. SRUs help to remove sulphur and other impurities from refinery products and gas streams. By Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Florida ports, fuel supplies, begin recovery: Update 2


10/10/24
10/10/24

Florida ports, fuel supplies, begin recovery: Update 2

Updates more port and terminal conditions, adds daily CBOB/ULSD prices. Houston, 10 October (Argus) — Port Tampa Bay, Florida, docks did not sustain significant damage from Hurricane Milton, the port authority said Thursday, a positive sign for resuming fuel imports into the storm ravaged state. Some port buildings were damaged and power remains out, according to preliminary assessments, but the port docks appear to have escaped major damage, according to the port authority. Many roads leading to the port remain flooded, but the port's main gates are accessible. There is no current timeline for the port's re-opening. Damage to Global Partners' Florida fuel terminals is less severe than the company expected, a spokesperson said Thursday afternoon. Global is loading cargoes from its three Port Everglades terminals. Its Tampa terminal is offline and running on generator power due to power outages, but staff are on site working to restore operations. Kinder Morgan is continuing to assess its terminals and pipeline, a spokesperson said Thursday afternoon. Chevron's Tampa refined products terminal remains closed and damage assessments will begin once crews can safely access the facility, a company spokesperson said Thursday morning. The company's terminals in Panama City and Port Everglades are operational. Citgo said it found no major damage at its Tampa terminal after an initial assessment but a more detailed inspection is ongoing as it works to restore operations. Buckeye, which shut Tampa terminals ahead of the hurricane, did not immediately respond to requests for information on the status of its operations. Tampa spared the worst Florida governor Ron DeSantis said Thursday that Port Tampa avoided the worst-case scenario in terms of storm surge and that eastern Florida ports on the opposite side of the state from where Milton made landfall appear largely undamaged. Nearly half of Florida's supply of petroleum and refined products passes through Port Tampa Bay, the majority via waterborne cargo from the US Gulf coast. Tampa Bay is also the site of major fertilizer operations, including Mosaic's Riverview phosphate plant. The state has 1.5mn USG of diesel and about 1.1mn USG of gasoline available to deploy in its emergency response, DeSantis said. Florida's highway patrol continues to escort fuel tankers making deliveries to gas stations and has completed about 130 escorts after some stations ran dry earlier this week as Floridians stocked up on fuel and evacuated coastal regions. DeSantis said he expects gas stations to reopen "very quickly, at least that's our hope." Prices for Florida CBOB delivered at Tampa and Port Everglades rose by 8.51¢/USG to $2.17/USG today while prices for Florida ULSD rose by 7.09¢/USG to $2.39/USG. Cash differentials in the waterborne ULSD markets and gasoline cargo markets were little changed. About 3.4mn Floridians were without power early today after Hurricane Milton came ashore south of Tampa Bay late Wednesday night as a category 3 storm. Utility crews are assessing the damage from high winds, tornadoes and flooding, and starting to restore power. The number of customers without power dipped below 3mn Thursday afternoon. Restrictions were lifted Thursday at a number of Florida ports closed for the storm, the Coast Guard said, while others are expected to open in the next day. By Nathan Risser and Cooper Sukaly Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Port Tampa Bay begins hurricane recovery: Update


10/10/24
10/10/24

Port Tampa Bay begins hurricane recovery: Update

Adds comments from Florida governor, information on fuel supplies. Houston, 10 October (Argus) — Port Tampa Bay, Florida, docks did not sustain significant damage from Hurricane Milton, the port authority said early today, a positive sign for resuming fuel imports into the storm ravaged state. Some port buildings were damaged and power remains out, according to preliminary assessments, but the port docks appear to have escaped major damage, according to the port authority. Many roads leading to the port remain flooded, but the port's main gates are accessible. Florida governor Ron DeSantis said Thursday that Port Tampa avoided the worst-case scenario in terms of storm surge and that eastern Florida ports on the opposite side of the state from where Milton made landfall appear largely undamaged. The state has 1.5mn USG of diesel and about 1.1mn USG of gasoline available to deploy in its emergency response, DeSantis said. Florida's highway patrol continues to escort fuel tankers making deliveries to gas stations and has completed about 130 escorts after some stations ran dry earlier this week as Floridians stocked up on fuel and evacuated coastal regions. DeSantis said today he expects gas stations to reopen "very quickly, at least that's our hope." Port Tampa Bay officials are working with the US Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard and others to assess landside and seaside operations. There is no currrent timeline for the port's re-opening. More than 3mn Floridians are without power today after Hurricane Milton came ashore south of Tampa Bay late last night as a category 3 storm. Utility crews are assessing the damage from high winds, tornadoes and flooding, and starting to restore power. Nearly half of Florida's supply of petroleum and refined products passes through Port Tampa Bay, the majority via waterborne cargo from the US Gulf coast. Tampa Bay is also the site of major fertilizer operations, including Mosaic's Riverview phosphate plant. Chevron's Tampa refined products terminal remains closed and damage assessments will begin once crews can safely access the facility, a company spokesperson said just after 11am ET today. The company's terminals in Panama City and Port Everglades are operational. Fuel terminal operators at Port Tampa Bay such as Citgo, Kinder Morgan, Global Partners and Buckeye Partners told Argus they are currently evaluating their facilities to determine when they can resume operations. Individual port tenants will decide independently when to restart their own activities. By Cooper Sukaly and Nathan Risser Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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