Oil & Gas and Petrochemical
Definition: “Petrochemical” comes from the Ancient Greek language where “Petro” means “rock” in referring to these rocks, “Petro”, producing “oleum” meaning “oil” to become “petro-oleum”, the “oil of rocks”. Therefore the word “Petrochemical” has been originally given to the chemistry issued from the oil. Comments: From process perspective, the “Petrochemical” industry begins where the “Refining” or […]
Definition: The “Naphtha” or “Naphtha petroleum” is the common name given to the “Aliphatic hydrocarbons“. Comment: The “Naphtha” results from the distillation of the oil in the refinery. But since there are hundreds of different petroleum crude oil worldwide with its own unique composition, there are as many “Naphtha“. Each refinery produces its own “Naphtha” with their own […]
Definition: A “cracker” breaks down large molecules from oil and natural gas into smaller ones. An ethylene “cracker” produces base petrochemical “building blocks” which are the first stage in the chemicals manufacturing chain. Comments: Natural gas companies have to remove Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) from methane to make it “pipeline quality.” NGLs are made up of ethane, […]
Definition: “Shale gas” is the name given to natural gas accumulation is locked in tiny bubble-like pockets within layered sedimentary rock such as shale. Comment: “Shale gas” is usually found in compact, low-permeability rocks deep beneath the surface. Reserves of this gas are very substantial and well distributed over the globe: they are estimated to represent […]
“Downstream” covers all the chain of transformations of the oil or gas after the transportation (Midstream). It begins with the refining and it continues with all the cracking operations of the petrochemical industry to produce all the chain of chemical products (Ethylene, Polyethylene, Propylene, Polypropylene, etc…) Comments: By comparison with the “Upstream” (Exploration & Production) […]
Petronas Chemical Group (PCG) is planning to build a US$20 billion RAPID (Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrated Development) plant in Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia, which borders Singapore, — the largest oil trading hub in Asia. The project is key for grabbing a larger share in the $395 billion global market for specialty chemicals — high value raw materials used in […]
Petronas and Basf have taken the next steps in the development of the previously announced RM4 billion investment that will expand their partnership in Malaysia, involving projects at their existing venture in Kuantan and at a new site within Petronas’ proposed Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) complex in Pengerang, Johor. These projects are to be […]
Definition: In the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical sector, “Midstream” refers to all the phase of transportation from the production locations to the transformation locations. Typically, by “Midstream” we should understand pipelines, vessels and all types of carriers such as trains or trucks. With the evolution of the gas to wire technology (GTW) we should […]
