-The EPA finalized its Tier 3 fuel standards, which will require sulfur content in gasoline to be reduced from 30 ppm to 10 ppm in 2017. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers said in a statement the new rules would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions due to the energy-intensive process required to reduce sulfur in gasoline.
-The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday on the shale boom’s impact on the refining business. Data from WSJ and IHS show that American refiners will add at least 400,000 barrels of oil refining capacity per day to existing plants between now and 2018.
-Reuters columnist John Kemp explains how the president could lift the ban on crude oil exports in stages rather than all at once. A phased removal of the ban, Kemp says, would buy time to build more domestic support and examine the potential effect on gasoline prices and heating fuel.
-Irving Oil kicked off a $60 million turnaround at its refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick. The six-week turnaround will involve maintenance and upgrades in the refinery’s Central, South and East process areas.
-PPG completed its acquisition of Hi-Temp Coatings Technology. PPG announced Feb. 3 it had agreed to buy the Massachusetts-based high-temperature coatings firm.
