January 19, 2018:

Mumbai: The proposed west coast refinery and petrochemical complex in Konkan seems to be gaining a political mileage. Days after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray came out in support of the villagers protesting the project, Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha founder Narayan Rane on Friday announced his opposition. Mr. Rane, who recently joined the NDA, chose to refrain from criticising the BJP, and instead targeted his arch-rival and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. “The Sena holds the portfolio of industry. The party has a Lok Sabha MP and an MLA from the region. Mr. Thackeray had said that his party would not let this project come up. But, in reality, the Sena is pushing the project, betraying the Konkani voters who have stood with the party in all these years,” said Mr. Rane. He referred to a statement by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis where he had said that the project was initially planned in Andhra Pradesh, and it was MP Vinayak Raut and Sena’s Union Minister Anant Geete, who brought the project here. “The police and revenue officials in the region are working at the Sena’s behest. Party leaders have purchased large tracts of land which they want to sell and earn thousands of crores of rupees. I am warning the Sena to stop threatening the villagers, otherwise, they will be beaten up. We will not be responsible for the consequences,” said Mr. Rane. He claimed that local leader Ashok Valam was threatened by Mr. Thackeray at the latter’s residence, and asked to refrain from criticising Sena leaders. When asked whether he was shielding the BJP and Mr. Fadnavis by attacking the Sena, the former Congress leader said that he will be meeting the CM to apprise him of the situation. “I know who to meet and at what time.” The proposed refinery – biggest in the country – is expected to bring investments worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore, and will have 50% stake of Indian Oil Corporation, while Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited will have 25% stake.

By The Hindu

January 19, 2018:

Heavy-lift specialist Mammoet signed a contract with engineering firm Dangote Group to supply breakbulk transport services for a multibillion-dollar refinery in Nigeria.  The deal will see Mammoet provide engineered heavy-lifting, transport, and installation of all over-dimensional cargo for the refinery.  “We are delighted to work together with our Nigerian partner Northridge Engineering on one of the most significant projects that will help the economies of Nigeria and the West Africa region,” said Harm Tiddens, general manager Mammoet West Africa.  Dutch firm Mammoet, headquartered in Schiedam, provides a range of services from transportation and logistics planning to heavy-lift and crane rental.  

By www.breakbulk.com

October 18, 2017:

Total is in talks with Saudi Aramco to expand their Saudi joint venture refinery by more than 10 percent, the chief executive of the French energy company said on Wednesday.  Capacity at their Saudi Arabia Total Refining and Petrochemical (SATORP) complex in Jubail can raise its capacity to 440,000 barrels per day through greater efficiency, Patrick Pouyanne said.  “We are working with Saudi Aramco, discussing gas allocation,” Pouyanne told reporters at the Oil & Money conference.  “To go up to 440,000 bpd can be quick,” he said.  The SATOROP refinery on Saudi Arabia’s east coast was launched in 2014 and is considered one of the world’s most advanced plants producing fuels and plastics. 

By Reuters

October 18, 2017:

Ellesmere Port’s oil refinery is to open a flagship filling station on its doorstep.  Essar has snapped up the former Elton Green filling station on the A5117 and plans to launch a company owned site there in 2018.   The fuel firm says it is a major supplier of transport fuels in the north west with customers including most of the leading retail brands operated by the international oil companies and hypermarkets together with the region’s trains and buses. It opened the first UK Essar branded filling station in November 2015 and is expected to have 50 by Christmas. The ‘ambitious target’ is to see 400 Essar branded sites spread across the UK within five years. 

Home to Europe’s largest catalytic cracker, Essar points out Stanlow has been producing a significant proportion of the country’s transport fuels for over half a century.  The refinery currently produces 16% of all transport fuels used in the UK equating to 4.4bn litres of diesel, 3bn litres of petrol and 2bn litres of jet fuel a year. All products are said to meet the strictest quality controls and adhere to all British Standard and European specifications and comply fully with vehicle manufacturer warranties.  Elton Green Service Station itself dates back to 1898.  At the opening of its first UK filling station Essar said: “This is a significant step forward and part of our plans to add value to our UK business. “Stanlow has a real legacy in terms of refining expertise and a long record of reliable supply to customers and we are now offering this directly on the forecourt in association with our dealers.  “We have worked hard to deliver a distinctive brand, a competitive commercial offering and the best possible customer support.” Essar has also successfully entered the market for the direct supply of aviation fuel from Stanlow signing agreements with some of the world’s leading international airlines. The company recently confirmed plans to invest a further $250m in capital expenditure and maintenance at the refinery to increase throughput and improve yields and revenues.  Including the purchase of the refinery from Shell the new investment will see Essar backing Stanlow to the tune of more than $1bn since 2012. 

By www.chesterchronicle.co.uk

October 17, 2017:

Nagarjuna Oil Corporation’s 6-million-tonnes-a-year refinery is on the block, with the National Company Law Tribunal-appointed Resolution Professional calling for Expressions of Interest from prospective investors.  The refinery at Cuddalore, about 200 km from Chennai, was scheduled to be commissioned in 2002 at an investment of around ₹3,500 crore. But owing to delays and cost overruns, the estimates mounted to ₹12,500-18,000 crore, and the commissioning was pushed to 2017. But a storm in December 2011 hit the project hard and it was stalled.  A debt recast was attempted, with a consortium 17 public sector banks cutting their losses. They were, however, to bring in an additional ₹7,000 crore debt as part of the restructuring. However, the plan too fell through.  The Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna Oil Refinery, which is setting up the project, held a 46.78 per cent stake (77.62 crore shares) in Nagarjuna Oil Corporation. 

Other shareholders included TIDCO, a Tamil Nadu government industry promotion agency, with 1.65 per cent (2.74 crore shares); Trafigura 19.79 per cent (32.84 crore shares); Tata Sons 12.70 per cent (21.07 crore shares); Tata Petrodyne 12.11 per cent (20.08 crore shares); Cuddalore Port Co 3.66 per cent (6.07 crore shares); and Udhe Gmbh 3.31 per cent (5.48 crore shares).  The NCLT-appointed RP has called for applicants to submit a proposal by October 31. The applicants should have a minimum consolidated net worth of ₹500 crore ($77 million) as of March 31, 2017.  The RP said that with funds infusion, the project can be commissioned in two-three years after completing the balance work. The plant is capable of meeting E-VI norms with some additions. Statutory clearances are in place, though some of them need to be renewed.  This is a critical project for Tamil Nadu as the refinery was an anchor for the proposed PCPIR (Petroleum Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region).  It was the largest private sector investment in the State and figured prominently in the Global Investors Meet 2015 organized by the State government. The government had also proposed an incentive package. 

By The Hindu Business Line