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[grupo guitarlumber] 13/5/2018 09:04

BP picks German group to test commercial refining catalysts
BERLIN, 3 days ago

Germany-based hte, a high throughput experimentation company, has been selected by BP to evaluate commercial catalysts for both naphtha reforming and hydrocracking applications using high throughput technology under commercially relevant conditions for its refineries around the world.

BP selected hte for the evaluation study in order to benchmark commercial naphtha reforming and hydrocracking catalysts and compare their performance against incumbent catalysts, said a statement.

The resulting testing programme at hte will provide BP with the data to make selections for its upcoming naphtha reforming and hydrocracking catalyst change-outs, it said.

The overall aim of both projects is to measure activity, yields, and stability. In naphtha reforming, these performance parameters will be determined at constant octane operation, whereas in hydrocracking, the catalysts will be tested under various process conditions including the evaluation of product qualities. The two projects will start in the third quarter of 2018, it added.

Belma Demirel, senior engineer at BP Refining Technology and Engineering in Naperville, US, said: “We selected hte as a partner for our qualification project because of its reputation in independent catalyst testing and its ability to provide experimental services across the major refining processes.”

Wolfram Stichert, chief executive officer, hte, said: “We are very pleased to be selected as a partner for independent commercial catalyst testing by BP.”

“Our focus here is to help refineries to be cost-effective in the catalyst selection process. We are looking forward to continuing our reliable and long-lasting partnership with BP,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service

[grupo guitarlumber] 13/5/2018 08:21

Shell signs energy development contract in Oman
MUSCAT, 0 hours, 13 minutes ago

Shell Gas & Power Developments has signed an agreement with Oman to cover upstream gas exploration and development, gas-to-liquids (GTL), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energies in the Sultanate.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) sets out an initial mutual understanding between Shell and Oman and serves as a platform for further negotiations on the proposed developments. Under the agreement, Shell is to operate an upstream project with Total and Oman Oil Company (OOC) as partners. It will also operate a GTL project with OOC as a partner.

The proposed investments will help Oman meet its energy needs and growth aspirations and are aligned with Shell’s strategy of building a resilient and relevant portfolio that is positioned for long term success.

Maarten Wetselaar, Shell Integrated Gas & New Energies director, said: “Shell has a long and proud history in Oman, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to take it to new levels through our proposed programme of development and investment in the country. We are hopeful we can use Shell’s integrated gas and new energies investment to accelerate Oman’s diversification and industrialization agenda. The proposals could also enhance in-country value, resulting in value and job creation in Oman’s economy.”

Chris Breeze, Shell’s country chair in Oman, said: “We are focused on maximising value for Oman and Shell by sustainably developing the country’s resources and increasing the share of renewable energy in Oman’s energy mix. This is in line with Shell’s aim to provide more and cleaner energy solutions.”

The MoU sets out an initial mutual understanding between Shell and Oman and serves as a platform for further negotiations on the proposed developments. Further announcements will be made as and when appropriate, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service

[grupo guitarlumber] 13/5/2018 07:50

Iran sanctions will create a ‘disruption217; in the oil price and uncertainty for investments, ENI CEO warns

When sanctions were imposed by the Barack Obama administration on Iran in 2012, Iran's oil exports dropped to approximately 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd).
Since the export restrictions were lifted in 2015, as part of the multilateral deal that offered economic relief in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear program that figure increased by more than 1 million.
The vast majority of Iran's oil exports, more than 1.5 million bpd, goes to China, India, Japan and South Korea.

Natasha Turak | @NatashaTurak
Published 19 Mins Ago Updated 4 Mins Ago CNBC.com









Claudio Descalzi, chief executive officer of Eni
Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Claudio Descalzi, chief executive officer of Eni

Italian oil and gas giant ENI may not have any investments in Iran, but its CEO Claudio Descalzi sees disruption ahead for oil markets thanks to the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on OPEC's third-largest oil producer.

"The impact is more for the crude oil price, because Iran now is exporting about 2.6 million barrels (per day), and if we go back to the first sanctions, they were exporting 1.5 million," Descalzi told CNBC's Hadley Gamble on the sidelines of the ADNOC Downstream Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

When sanctions were imposed by the Barack Obama administration on Iran in 2012, Iran's oil exports dropped to approximately 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd). Since the export restrictions were lifted in 2015, as part of the multilateral deal that offered economic relief in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear program — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — that figure increased by more than 1 million.

"So there is a lack of 1 million in the market and that is going to impact the oil price, and also the balance of different crudes," the CEO said. "Because 1 million is going to Europe, the rest to the Far East."

"We have a demand that is increasing 1.6 to 1.7 million bpd yearly average, so that is going to create a disruption in terms of cost and price," he added. "And when we have this kind of situation, the landscape becomes very uncertain."

The vast majority of Iran's oil exports, more than 1.5 million bpd, goes to China, India, Japan and South Korea. Already Japan and South Korea have signaled they will try to seek waivers from the U.S. to continue buying Iranian crude.

And price uncertainty ahead means uncertainty for investors, particularly those looking at long-term, multi-billion dollar projects like those required for the extractives sector.

"For energy you have to make big investments," Descalzi added. "And when there is a lot of uncertainty, the investment is not easy to be performed. But there are so many other geopolitical issues, that the landscape is very difficult to understand where we're going."
Natasha TurakCorrespondent, CNBC

[la forge] 12/5/2018 07:07

HERALDSCOTLAND.COM

As oil prices begin to soar, should you up your exposure?
Iona Bain Personal Finance Writer
As oil prices begin to soar, should you up your exposure?

As oil prices begin to soar, should you up your exposure?
0 comments

THE IMPORTANCE of oil to investors has been underlined as President Trump’s tough line on Iran stoked a further rise in the price of crude.

Despite widespread predictions a year ago that oil would struggle to top $50 a barrel under pressure from US shale production, it topped $77 this week.

Big oil is a pillar of the FTSE 100 and of popular investment funds, and its strength helped the blue-chip index jump nearly seven per cent last month, bouncing back above 7,500 from its February depression.

So should investors be checking their exposure to the black gold, and do the latest geopolitical rumblings in the Middle East signal another bout of volatility ahead?

“Investors do need to keep an eye on the price of oil, which is now up 50 per cent year-on-year,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

“A sustained surge in crude could lead to inflation or even a slowdown in global economic activity. The higher oil goes, the more dangerous the impact of the Trump policy shift could become.”

Read more: Oil price hits three year high as tensions over Syria increase

Richard Turnill, Blackrock’s global strategist, added: “For investors seeking exposure to oil today, we see a stronger case for investing in energy equities over crude itself. Oil prices have run well ahead of energy stocks this year but this trend has started to turn.”

Surprisingly, the index of FTSE All-Share oil and gas producers is up only 4.4% in 2018, ranking it 13 out of 39 industry groupings, while the oil equipment and services sector is up by just 0.9%.

The producers’ index currently trades at 128 times the actual oil price, compared to an average of 156 over the last 20 years.

Mr Turnill said: “Current oil prices offer potential upside for energy companies’ earnings and stock prices.

"Most energy companies have budgeted for mid-$50s oil prices in 2018, with this conservative outlook reflected in share prices today.

"This points to valuation upside should current levels of oil prices be sustained.”

BP and RoyalDutchShell are strengthening the cover of their dividends as the oil cash flows in and both still offer yields of over five per cent. Mr Mould said that “less-well developed, pure play producers” such as Edinburgh-based FTSE 250 firm Cairn Energy or London-headquartered Tullow Oil could also benefit, although with a higher level of operational and exploration risk.

“The riskiest oil plays are the AIM-quoted junior explorers which may not even be producing or have a find, but whose share prices could welcome more positive sentiment toward their industry,” he said.

“The London Stock Exchange is also host to a select number of firms which provide equipment and services to the oil industry. None of them feature in the FTSE 100, although Wood and Petrofac were both once part of the UK’s elite index. Other names to note include Lamprell and Hunting.”

Read more: Bid speculation mounts over North Sea oil and gas giant

There are actively managed funds focused on the sector such as Guinness Global Energy, which has almost two-thirds of its assets in North America, while passive funds include ETFS US Energy Infrastructure and iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, both exchange-traded funds.

The iShares Core FTSE 100, meanwhile, has both BP and Shell in its top five holdings and an overall weighting of 17% to energy. Among UK equity income funds – the top-performing fund sector last month - River & Mercantile UK Equity Income has a 15% energy exposure.

For those who are happy to swap equity risk for oil price risk, ETFS WTI Crude Oil (CRUD) tracks the US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, while ETFS Brent Crude (BRNT) mirrors European oil. Both of these funds use derivatives to track the prices, which can affect returns.

Turnill cautions that there could still be “a hefty drop in oil prices, possibly sparked by a large US shale production boost or falling demand”.

Oil futures, which predict the price ahead, have lagged the rise in spot prices, while a stronger dollar could also weigh on oil.

Tom Elliott, international investment strategist at deVere Group, said: “Investors should expect an increase in market volatility. In the shorter term at least it is likely gold and the US dollar may rally on growing fears of further conflicts in the Middle East breaking out, while risk assets, namely stocks and credit markets, may weaken. Oil may rally strongly.

“Geopolitical events such as these underscore how essential it is for investors to always ensure that they are properly diversified - this includes across asset classes, sectors and geographical regions – to mitigate potential risks to their investment returns.”

[ariane] 11/5/2018 16:25

BP, China's NIO Capital to Explore Opportunities in Advanced Mobility
11/05/2018 4:10pm
Dow Jones News

BP (LSE:BP.)
Intraday Stock Chart

Today : Friday 11 May 2018
Click Here for more BP Charts.

By Ian Walker


BP PLC (BP.LN) said Friday that it has signed an agreement with NIO Capital to jointly explore opportunities in advanced mobility in China and internationally.

The oil major said potential investment opportunities include electric vehicles, new energy infrastructure, intelligent automotive systems, connected vehicles and new materials including batteries.

"Advanced technology is now driving rapid changes in transportation and China, which is seeing some of the fastest growth in new energy vehicles, is a key market for BP," BP Downstream Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic said.



Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]; @IanWalk40289749



(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 11, 2018 10:55 ET (14:55 GMT)