ExxonMobil Joliet refinery may be limited for 3 weeks

: Crude oil, Oil products
24/07/19

It could take up to three weeks for ExxonMobil's 252,000 b/d Joliet refinery in Channahon, Illinois, to resume normal operations after severe weather caused a facility-wide shutdown Monday.

The company has limited its unbranded fuel supply in the region and placed customers on allocation, according to buyers. Restoring power and ramping-up the refinery to full operations could take up to three weeks, lasting well into August.

ExxonMobil confirmed this afternoon that power has not been restored to the plant and previously declined to comment on a time line for a return to normal operations as it assesses damage at the plant.

Channahon's emergency management director told Argus that Monday's tornado skirted the refinery and it faced no direct damage. US Interstate 55 which borders Exxon's refinery was closed due to downed power lines, but these have since been cleared and the road re-opened.

By Nathan Risser

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25/01/22

Syria issues first post-Assad oil tenders

Dubai, 22 January (Argus) — The new administration in Syria has issued its first tenders to buy crude and refined products since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December, as acute fuel shortages continue to cause lengthy blackouts in the country. Tenders seeking 3mn bl of light crude for the 140,000 Banias refinery and 1.2mn bl of heavy crude for the 110,100 b/d Homs refinery close for bidding on 27 January. They have a 10pc flexibility either way on the volumes. The Banias refinery is undergoing maintenance at several of its production units after being taken offline last month because of a lack of crude feedstock. Syria's new administration has also issued its first import tender for refined products — 80,000t of 90 Ron gasoline, 100,000t of 10ppm sulphur gasoil and 100,000t of fuel oil — commencing as soon as possible for delivery over a 30-day period. Offers must be delivered by hand to the oil ministry in Damascus by 14:30 local time on 27 January. A tender seeking 66,000t of LPG has been issued as well. A previous tender for 20,000t of LPG was awarded at mid-teen $/t premiums to fob Lavera west Mediterranean prices. Before Assad was toppled, Syria relied heavily on Iran for its oil supplies, as international sanctions imposed in the wake of the 2011 civil war left the country critically short of feedstock for its refineries. Iran's crude exports to Syria averaged around 55,000 b/d in January-November 2024 and around 80,000 b/d in 2023, according to trade analytics firm Kpler. Iran was also sending around 10,000-20,000 b/d of oil products to Syria in recent years, according to consultancy FGE. But Tehran has halted crude deliveries to Syria since the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control last month , leaving the new transitional government under pressure to find alternative suppliers. Government-to-government deals are a potential option. "Recent political developments have indicated that Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey could play a role in solving Syria's crude and refined products shortage," FGE analyst Palash Jain said. Saudi Arabia is willing to help for a limited period, but discussions remain in a preliminary phase and are light on details, a source with knowledge of the matter told Argus . Riyadh is waiting to hear more from the Syrians on their energy needs and requirements, the source added. The latest tenders come just two weeks after the US waived sanctions that had previously prohibited energy trade with Syria. The waiver, issued on 6 January, is valid until 7 July. By Rithika Krishna and Bachar Halabi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US trade deficit with Canada is no 'subsidy': TD Bank

25/01/21

US trade deficit with Canada is no 'subsidy': TD Bank

Calgary, 21 January (Argus) — The US' trade deficit with Canada is largely a result of America's thirst for energy and should not be confused with a "subsidy", according to one of Canada's largest banks today. "With respect to (US president Donald) Trump's assertion that the US subsidizes Canada to the tune of US$200bn per year, it's unclear where this number is derived," TD Economics said today in its Setting the Record Straight on Canada-US Trade report. "In any event, rather than a subsidy, the US trade deficit is a by-product of US economic outperformance relative to other countries. "The bulk of the US trade deficit with Canada is owing to energy," the bank said. "Outside of that, the scales tip into America's favour." The US is on track to record a trade deficit with Canada of roughly C$65bn ($45bn) in 2024, but that would flip to a C$60bn surplus for the US if energy were removed from the equation, said the bank. About 80pc of Canada's 5mn b/d of crude production is consumed by refineries in the US, with many in the Midcontinent having no practical alternative. US gasoline prices would move higher by 30-70¢/USGif the 25pc tariffs that Trump has threatened were applied to Canada's oil, TD Bank projects. But even with energy included, the US' deficit with Canada only represents 4pc of the US' overall trade deficit, meaning "reducing imports from Canada would barely move the needle," according to TD. The two highly-integrated countries exchange about C$3.6bn of goods and services each day, only slightly less than daily US-Mexico trade, the bank said. North American trade disparities have been thrust into the spotlight with Trump threatening tariffs against both of its neighbours. Trump opted not to impose any tariffs immediately when he took office on Monday, as previously threatened, instead pushing potential action against Canada and Mexico to 1 February. Trump said Monday he would immediately begin an "overhaul" of the US trade system to protect domestic workers and to start to "tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens". Mexican crude could help fill the void left by a reduction in Canadian crude flows, but that would exacerbate the trade deficit that the US has with that country, TD said. Mexico accounts for 20pc of the US' overall trade deficit — five times that of Canada — while China makes up the largest slice of the total US trade deficit, at 30pc, according to TD Bank, which cited official US Census data. The report also highlighted that Canada is the single-largest market for American goods, with at least 34 states selling more to Canada than to any other foreign country. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Winter storm shuts asphalt terminals, hits demand

25/01/21

Winter storm shuts asphalt terminals, hits demand

Houston, 21 January (Argus) — Ports in Texas and Louisiana remained closed to ship traffic Tuesday afternoon because of a winter storm. Waterborne asphalt terminals were heard shut in southeast Louisiana and Texas, and some market participants expect terminals to remain closed through Wednesday. According to vessel tracking data from Kpler, no ocean-going asphalt vessels were seen loading in Texas or Louisiana today. No exports have been heard delayed. Frigid temperatures have also halted liftings at the rack in areas across the Gulf following reports of slow retail demand earlier this month. New Orleans port officials cut off water supplies to port facilities beginning 19 January because of freezing temperatures, significant snowfall and high winds forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS). Operations are expected to be down at least for the rest of today. Marine pilots also suspended boardings at the Texas ports of Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Freeport late on 20 January. Traffic also was halted at the Sabine-Neches Waterway on the Texas-Louisiana border, which offers access to terminals and refineries in Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas. Port Houston facilities, which include eight public terminals on the Houston Ship Channel, will remain closed through Wednesday, according to a statement from port officials. Arctic conditions are anticipated through Thursday, according to NWS. Travel will be hazardous due to the snow, ice and wind chill of up to 20mph. Even as temperatures rise, retail demand could remain muted on the Gulf coast with NWS forecasting above-normal precipitation across the region starting 27 January. By Meghan Yoyotte and Cobin Eggers Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Texas, Louisiana ports closed by winter storm: Update

25/01/21

Texas, Louisiana ports closed by winter storm: Update

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Major NOLA terminals closed for winter storm

25/01/21

Major NOLA terminals closed for winter storm

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