Vertex plans Mobile refinery turnaround in March

: Biofuels, Crude oil, Oil products
24/02/28

Specialty refiner Vertex Energy is planning a turnaround at its 88,000 b/d Mobile, Alabama, refinery in March as it prepares to run at full rates during the driving season.

The turnaround includes a catalyst change for the plant's catalytic reforming unit and maintenance on its crude distillation unit (CDU), the company said on an earnings call today.

Vertex did not give a time line for the work but said it aims to run the refinery at full rates by peak summer demand season, which starts on Memorial Day weekend in late May.

The company plans to run throughputs of 60,000-63,000 b/d at the Mobile plant's conventional fuel refining operations in the first quarter and run its renewable diesel units at 3,000-5,000 b/d.

Vertex processed 71,000 b/d at the Mobile refinery in the first quarter of 2023, prior to starting the plant's renewable feedstock units.

By Nathan Risser

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25/05/20

Shell CEO defends 'resilient investment strategy'

London, 20 May (Argus) — Shell chief executive Wael Sawan defended the company's "resilient investment strategy" at its annual shareholder meeting today, as directors faced a barrage of questions from climate-focused investors. A resolution calling for more details on Shell's LNG strategy gained over 20pc support, a level consistent with climate-related votes in previous years . But absent this year were the disruptive climate protests that have marked past meetings. This was partly due to Shell's choice of venue, London's Heathrow Airport, which has a five-year High Court injunction banning environmental protests on site. Still, climate-conscious shareholders dominated the discussion. One questioned how Shell could justify expanding oil and gas operations when the IEA's net zero emissions by 2050 scenario suggests no new oil and gas projects are needed. Shell's chairman Andrew Mackenzie responded that the IEA's scenario is just one of many and includes conditional commitments made by governments that may not materialise. "We see a phase of continuing growth, particularly in the use of gas and especially in LNG, that we think is appropriate to invest in," he said. Sawan pointed out that most of the net present value from Shell's oil and gas projects will be realised before 2040, "and so this is a very resilient investment strategy that we are offering our shareholders". He also highlighted that Shell has $20bn of capital invested in low-carbon alternatives such as biofuels, hydrogen and electric vehicle charging. "It is in our interest... to see that market grow," he said. A key focus was Resolution 22, filed by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), which called on Shell to explain how its LNG strategy aligns with its climate goals. "We believe that shareholders still don't have the information that they need to properly assess the risks associated with this strategy," said the ACCR's Sarah Brewin. The scale of Shell's uncontracted LNG out to 2050 exposes the company and its shareholders to "significant risk should prices fall and demand soften", she said. The company's LNG outlook "is highly optimistic and increasingly out of step with global trends", she added. Shell's board opposed the resolution, arguing that its strategy is based on a range of scenarios — including one exploring the impact of AI on energy demand. Its 2025 LNG Outlook, based on Wood Mackenzie data, forecasts a 60pc rise in global LNG demand by 2040, driven by economic growth in Asia and decarbonisation in heavy industry and transport. While the resolution did not pass, Shell said it will prepare a note within six months detailing its LNG market outlook, its LNG business strategy and how these align with its climate commitments. By Jon Mainwaring Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

25/05/20

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

Rio de Janeiro, 20 May (Argus) — Brazil is arguing that its developing country status allows it to consolidate its position as a major crude producer and is likely to lean on developed countries during much-awaited discussions on moving away from fossil fuels at the UN Cop 30 climate conference in November. Attempts to reach an ambitious outcome on mitigation — cutting greenhouse gas emissions — and actions to move away from fossil fuels were quashed at Cop 29 in Baku last year, and all eyes are on Brazil to bridge divides on this issue . Cop 30 president-designate Andre Correa do Lago has failed to address fossil fuels in his two letters outlining priorities for the summit, but members of the Cop 30 team have indicated the issue will be on the agenda. With geopolitical tensions and energy security questions redirecting government priorities away from the energy transition, the outlook is more challenging than when Cop parties agreed the global stocktake (GST) conclusion on fossil fuels and energy in 2023 . But Brazil is well-placed to take the lead. It is a respected player in climate discussions and has one of the cleanest energy mix — 49pc of its energy and 89pc of its electricity comes from renewables. Its own mitigation efforts prioritize slashing deforestation, which accounts for the lion's share of Brazil's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Non-profit World Resources Institute Brazil describes the emissions reduction target in Brazil's nationally determined contribution (NDC) — climate plan — as "reasonable to insufficient" and notes that energy emissions are expected to increase by 20pc in the decade to 2034. Its NDC avoids any concrete steps towards winding down crude. After you The government's view on fossil fuels is that Brazil's developing country status, the oil and gas industry's importance in its economy and comparatively low fossil fuel emissions justify pushing ahead with oil production. Correa do Lago said earlier that Belem was picked as a venue for Cop 30 to show that Brazil is still a developing country, adding that any decision on oil and gas should be taken by Brazil's citizens. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that oil revenue will fund the energy transition. It is a position that has earned Brazil accusations of hypocrisy from environmentalists at home and abroad, but which also places it as a possible model for other hydrocarbon-producer developing countries. Brazil's diplomatic tradition of pragmatically balancing seemingly opposing positions could serve it well here, said Gabriel Brasil, a senior analyst focused on climate at Control Risks, a consultancy. He does not see Brazil's attempt to balance climate leadership with continued oil production as hurting its standing among fellow parties or energy investors. Civil society stakeholders hope pre-Cop meetings will help bring clarity on how Brazil might broach the fossil fuel debate. Indigenous groups, which are set to be given more space at Cop, are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas offshore basin. Meanwhile, Brazilian state-owned Petrobras moved one step closer to being authorized to begin offshore drilling there . During meetings of the UN climate body — the UNFCCC — in Panama City this week, the Cop 30 presidency will present ideas for the summit "with a focus on the full implementation of the GST". But it has to wait for countries to update their NDCs to gauge what is achievable on mitigation. Only 20 have submitted new NDCs so far, with the deadline pushed back to September. Brazil's own NDC gives some clues. It welcomes the launch "of international work for the definition of schedules for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems" and reiterates that developed countries should take the lead. And a report commissioned by Brazil's oil chamber IBP and civil society organization ICS to be given to negotiators ranks Brazil as a "mover" in the transition away from oil and gas, ahead of "adapters" like India and Nigeria but behind "front-runners" Germany and the US. The research develops the idea of a country-based transition plan, using criteria such as energy security and institutional and social resilience, as well as oil and gas relevance. By Constance Malleret 2023 Brazil emissions sources Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Libyan crude returns to Asia after one-month hiatus

25/05/20

Libyan crude returns to Asia after one-month hiatus

London, 20 May (Argus) — Libyan crude is once again heading to Asia-Pacific after exports to the region came to a complete halt in April — the first such pause since August 2020, according to Argus tracking data. The Suezmax Sea Sapphire departed Libya's Zueitina port on 15 May with around 1mn bl of light sweet crude bound for Thailand's Ko Sichang terminal, where it is expected to arrive on 26 June, according to Vortexa and Kpler. It marks the first Libyan crude cargo to load for Asia-Pacific since March, and flows to the region averaged 76,000 b/d in the first three months of this year. Despite favourable arbitrage conditions in April — the Brent-Dubai EFS more than halved on the month to 30¢/bl in March when April-loading cargoes were trading — no Libyan crude was loaded for the region last month. Buyers in Asia-Pacific appear to have opted for light sour Caspian CPC Blend instead. Shipments of the Caspian grade to Asia-Pacific hit a two-year high of 541,000 b/d in April, supported by weaker price differentials. But with eastbound arbitrage shipments now less workable, most May and June-loading CPC Blend supplies are heading to Europe, according to traders. This may have prompted Asia-Pacific refiners to turn back to Libyan grades. Thailand has been a regular buyer of Libyan crude, taking 16 cargoes in 2022 and nine in 2023, according to Argus tracking data. The Sea Sapphire is already the third Libyan cargo to load this year, matching the total for the whole of 2024. A second Suezmax cargo of Libyan crude is scheduled to depart Marsa al-Hariga on 27 May and arrive at China's Ningbo port on 24 June, although the fixture remains unconfirmed. Despite renewed interest from Asia-Pacific, Libya's overall crude exports are scheduled to fall by 9pc on the month in May to 1.13mn b/d across its 12 grades, according to provisional loading programmes. By Ellanee Kruck Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Zuglogistik vor Herausforderungen

25/05/20

Zuglogistik vor Herausforderungen

Hamburg, 20 May (Argus) — Die Versorgung der Tanklager per Kesselwagen gestaltet sich deutschlandweit immer schwieriger. Zunehmende Probleme durch Ausfälle treffen auf einen erhöhten Bedarf an Kesselwagen aufgrund des andauernden Rheinniedrigwassers. Das Logistiksystem der Bahn scheint an der Auslastungsgrenze zu sein. Vor allem Personalausfälle bei den Zugführern aufgrund von Krankheit und einer hohen Fluktuation belasten das System, so Marktteilnehmer. Die siebenwöchige Totalsperrung der Strecke 6081 zwischen Berlin und Eberswalde erhöht den Personalbedarf und verlängert die Transportwege seit dem 11. April. Kesselwagen, die Ware aus der PCK Raffinerie (226.000 bl/Tag) in Schwedt in Richtung Berlin und Südost transportieren, müssen derzeit einen Umweg von knapp 400 km in Kauf nehmen. Die Sperrung soll bis voraussichtlich Ende Mai anhalten. Darüber hinaus sinken seit Mitte Februar die Rheinpegel , wodurch sich das Ladevolumen der Binnenschiffe sukzessive verringert. Anbieter weichen daher für die Versorgung der Tanklager verstärkt auf Kesselwagen aus. Im April stieg zudem die Nachfrage vor allem nach Heizöl und Diesel, was die Situation zusätzlich verschärfte. Züge verzögerten sich daher erheblich oder fallen zum Teil ganz aus. Dies wirkt sich teilweise auch auf Transporte in die Schweiz aus, berichten Händler. Der Engpass in der Logistik führt dazu, dass Händler einzelne Tanklager bereits seit mehreren Wochen nicht anfahren können, um Ware zu verladen. Eine Entspannung der Situation ist nicht abzusehen. Nach einer kurzen Erholung sind die Pegel am Oberrhein wieder gefallen. Eine volle Auslastung der Ladekapazität wird auch im Mai voraussichtlich nicht möglich sein, laut der wahrscheinlichkeitsbasierten 14-Tage-Vorhersage der Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde. Und eine weitere Sperrung steht bevor: Die Deutsche Bahn plant eine Generalsanierung der Strecke zwischen Hamburg und Berlin. Diese wird ab August 2025 für neun Monate voll gesperrt sein. Von Gabriele Zindel Senden Sie Kommentare und fordern Sie weitere Informationen an feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Norway to implement ReFuelEU Aviation by 2027

25/05/20

Norway to implement ReFuelEU Aviation by 2027

London, 20 May (Argus) — Norway is planning to implement the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulations "as soon as possible, and no later than 2027", according to the transport minister. ReFuelEU Aviation entered into force in the EU on 1 January 2025, and will eventually require a 70pc sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) share in all EU airports from 2050. Norway is not part of the EU, but it wants the regulations to be incorporated into the European Economic Area (EEA) and into Norwegian law as soon as possible to "contribute to a level playing field in aviation in Europe". ReFuelEU would require Norwegian aircraft operators to gradually increase the volume of SAF in their fuel mix, starting with a 2pc share in 2025. "The government now wants to implement this as soon as possible," said transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygård. Norway established a sales requirement in 2020 that required aviation fuel suppliers to blend 0.5pc SAF. Norway's biofuels mandates align with EU sustainability criteria under the original renewable energy directive (RED) I, as part of EEA agreements. Norway has made stricter requirements for biofuels sales from the beginning of this year . It was consulting on three options for increases to the biofuels blending obligations for 2026 and 2027, in April . By Madeleine Jenkins Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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