Category: TCG/TCGR

The 27th meeting of the North American Catalysis Society (NAM27), scheduled for May 22-27, 2022 in New York City, is the premier scientific event in the field of catalysis research and development, and will feature technological challenges, breakthrough discoveries, and state-of-the art academic and industrial research. See: https://nam27.org/

As the leading boutique consultancy in the catalytic process industries, working with global clients for 40 years, The Catalyst Group (TCG) has found the NAM conferences an invaluable resource for the industrial and academic communities advancing the critical science of catalysis.

Connect with the full team of TCG’s representatives, from project associates to CEO, at NAM27. We invite you to stop by the Annual Meeting of TCGR’s Catalytic Advances Program (CAP) to evaluate our flagship industrial membership program and meet colleagues/peers who are working collaboratively via the consortium, to document, access and implement the state-of-the-art in catalysis.

For more information, please contact Chris Dziedziak, Project Manager,
at +1-215-628-4447 or cdziedziak@catalystgrp.com.

See PPT Deck here (as PDF) | See Report TofC here (as PDF)

As we approach the 4^th quarter of 2020, The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR) continues to provide forward-looking advice in its new multi-client and select-client reports along with those delivered for its membership programs.

Because of your focus in the field of CO₂ capture technologies, we are sharing access to a Power Point Deck which extracts the important and salient findings from our recently completed techno-economic report entitled, Compact Light-Weight CO₂ Capture Technologies for Small-to-Medium-Scale CO₂ Emitters. This report was developed as one of three reports delivered in 2019 exclusively to members of our Carbon Dioxide Capture and Conversion (CO₂CC) Program.

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) is one of several techniques under consideration for decarbonization required to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. While much CO₂ is emitted from large power point sources, there are in the order of 100,000’s of small-to-medium emitters globally across different sectors making up at least one quarter of the total CO₂ released, and these must also be tackled. This timely report consists of two main chapters: One looks at the profile of small-medium emitters, describing the processes in which their CO₂ emissions are produced, the flue-gas characteristics and the status of CCS for each sector; The second goes on to detail the CCS processes available at those volumes with those qualities, including cryogenic, liquid, and solids, including Direct Air Capture (DAC) and membrane-type separations. A view of the success of each technique in the different sectors is provided. The report will be invaluable for those looking to develop and/or offer CCS solutions for small-to-medium emitters and for manufacturers wishing to reduce the carbon footprint of their existing facilities and planned new units.

The PPT Deck, as well as a PDF containing the report’s complete TofC, List of Figures and Tables, are available here: See PPT Deck here (as PDF) | See Report TofC here (as PDF)

More information about this report and other services of the CO₂CC Program can be seen at http://www.catalystgrp.com/php/tcgr_co2cc.php. Call +1-215-628-4447 or e-mail Chris Dziedziak at cdziedziak@catalystgrp.com, and we’ll be happy to discuss these and other interesting membership

In recognition of their value to current R&D, commercial and competitive/strategic activities, TCGR is pleased to offer a limited selection of its industry-leading reports at discounted rates, based on coverage area, focus/depth (i.e., technical/R&D vs. commercial/strategic), and study age.

These selected reports, delineated below, cover the full breadth of catalyst applications (e.g., refining, petrochemicals, polymerization and environmental) and are derived from TCGR’s exclusive membership programs as well as its multi-client report series. We present below the reports that are now available, selected from our two membership programs, the Catalytic Advances Program (CAP) and the Carbon Dioxide Capture & Conversion (CO₂CC) Program, as well as our multi-client study series.*

Such “themed” reports can be purchased at a discount individually or in groups of two, three or more with discounts on the 2^nd (additional 25% off), 3^rd (additional 50% off) and 4^th+ reports as commensurate with the overall purchase (when made concurrently).

As an example, if you are interested in one (1) study from Group A and one (1) from Group B, your fee would be: $12,500 + $10,000 (@25% off = $7,500) =$20,000.

Per below, each study is linked to its page on our website where additional details, including complete TofCs, can be found. Appearing below the listing is a form where you can indicate your interests (via tick box) and click “submit” so it is delivered to us. For more information, contact TCGR’s John J. Murphy at John.J.Murphy@catalystgrp.com or +1.215.628.4447.

Group A at 30-40% off list price ($12,500/ea.):

A1. The Intelligence Report: Business Shifts in the Global Catalytic Process Industries, 2017-2023
(multi-client, completed in 2018)

A2. Oil-to-Chemicals: Technological Approaches
and Advanced Process Configurations
(multi-client, completed in 2017)

A3. The Separations Report: Commercial,
Technical and R&D Assessment in Refining, Petrochemical/Syngas, Natural Gas and Industrial Gases (multi-client, completed in 2017)

A4. Polyolefin (PO) Catalysts & Processes: Technological and Commercial Impacts on
PE and PP, 2015-2025
(multi-client, completed in 2017)

Group B at 40-50% off list price ($10,000/ea.):

B1. Membranes in Separations: Commercial
Advances in Refinery, Petrochemical/Chemical and
Industrial Gases Applications
(multi-client, completed in November 2016)

B2. The Middle East Catalyst Market: Technologies, Applications
and Opportunities
(multi-client, completed in March 2016)

B3. The Asia Pacific Catalyst Industry: Markets, Technologies and Manufacturers
(multi-client, completed in September 2015)

B5. Catalytic Process R&D Scale-Up II
(CAP report, completed in 2017)

B4. Natural Gas Conversion vs. Syngas Routes: A Future of Convergence
(multi-client, completed in 2014)

– Vol. 1: Natural Gas to Intermediates and Feedstocks to Syngas;
– Vol. 2: Syngas and Natural Gas Conversion to Products

B6. Advances in Octane Enhancement
(CAP report, completed in 2017)

B7. Advances in High-Throughput Screening Methodologies (CAP report, completed in 2017)

B9. Advances in On-Purpose Technology
for Mono- and Di-Olefins
(CAP report, completed in 2016)

B8. Advances in Olefin Co-monomer and Polyolefin Production (CAP report, completed in 2016)

B10. Recent Progress in Zeolitic Membranes
for Gas Separations and Catalysis
(CAP report, completed in 2016)

B11. CO₂ Conversion Startups for Venture Capital (CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2017)

B12. Progress Towards Cost-Effective and Sustainable H2 Production
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2017)

B13. CO₂ Utilization in Reforming
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2017)

B14. Benchmarking CO₂ Capture Technology (Vol. 3): Update on Selected Pre-/Oxy Combustion and Post-Combustion Capture Routes
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2016)

B15. Integration of Renewable Energy in CO₂ Capture and Conversion Processes
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2016)

B16 System Perspectives/Net GHG Benefit of CO₂ Conversion Technologies
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2016)

Group C at >50% off list price ($7,500/ea.)

C1. Specialty Zeolites in Catalysis: International, Technical and Commercial Progress, A NEW ERA! (multi-client, completed in February 2014)

C2. The Industrial Adsorbents Business: Commercial Strategy, Technical and R&D Assessment in Refining, Chemicals/Syngas, Natural Gas and Industrial Gases (multi-client, completed in July 2013)

C3. The Catalytic Process Industries in China: Markets, Technologies & Strategic Implications – Update 2013 (multi-client, completed as a series of four segments in April- June 2013)

C4. Unconventional Catalytic Olefins Production: Commercial Vision and Breakout?
(multi-client, completed in January 2013)

C5. Advances in Aromatics Production
(CAP report, completed in 2015)

C6. Advances in Methanol to Products
(CAP report, completed in 2015)

C7. Advances in Refinery Cracking
Catalysts and Processes II
(CAP report, completed in 2015)

C8. Dehydrogenation and Oxidative
Dehydrogenation II
(CAP report, completed in 2014)

C9. Advances in Olefin Purification
via Catalysis and Sorbent Materials
(CAP report, completed in 2014)

C10. Advances in Catalyst Supports
(CAP report, completed in 2014)

C11. Catalytic Conversion of Syngas
to Chemical Products II
(CAP report, completed in 2013)

C12. Advances in Catalysis with Precious Metals
(CAP report, completed in 2013)

C13. Advances in Catalysis for Oxidation
Intermediates and Derivatives
(CAP report, completed in 2013)

C14. Advances in C₁ Chemistry (CAP report, completed in 2012)

C15. Going to Zero Sulfur II
(CAP report, completed in 2012)

C16. R&D Advances in Catalysis of Biochemicals
(CAP report, completed in 2012)

C17. Energy Efficiency/CO₂ Mitigation Case Study Series – Vol. 2: Petrochemicals and Chemicals
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2015)

C18. Integrated CO₂ Capture and Conversion from Flue Gases (CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2015)

C19. Progress Towards Technologically and Commercially Viable CO₂ Conversion to Olefins,
Acids and Esters
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2015)

C20. Advances in Energy Efficiency via Separations Technology (CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2014)

C21. Process/Energy Integration in CO₂ Capture: Opportunities and Challenges
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2014)

C22. Energy Efficiency/CO₂ Mitigation Case Study Series – Vol. 1: Refining and Fuels
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2014)

C23. Catalytic Routes to CO₂ Conversion: An Assessment of the Technology Pipeline
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2013)

C24. CO₂ in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Sources, Capture Technologies and Applications
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2013)

C25. Conversion of CO₂ to Syngas and Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG): Technologies and Markets
(CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2013)

C26. Fundamental Limitations on CO₂ Capture Processes (CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2012)

C27. Analysis of Demand for Captured CO₂ and Products from CO₂ Conversion (CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2012)

C28. Retrofit Suitability of Competing CO₂ Capture Technologies (CO₂CC Program report, completed in 2012)

Special Offer Report Selection Form

• Name*
• Company*
• Title*
• Phone*
• Email*
• Report Selection
  • GROUP A
  • A1. The Intelligence Report: Business Shifts in the Global Catalytic Process Industries, 2017-2023
  • A2. Oil-to-Chemicals: Technological Approaches and Advanced Process Configurations
  • A3. The Separations Report: Commercial, Technical and R&D Assessment in Refining, Petrochemical/Syngas, Natural Gas and Industrial Gases
  • A4. Polyolefin (PO) Catalysts & Processes: Technological and Commercial Impacts on PE and PP, 2015-2025
  • GROUP B
  • B1. Membranes in Separations: Commercial Advances in Refinery, Petrochemical/Chemical and Industrial Gases Applications
  • B2. The Middle East Catalyst Market: Technologies, Applications and Opportunities
  • B3. The Asia Pacific Catalyst Industry: Markets, Technologies and Manufacturers
  • B4. Natural Gas Conversion vs. Syngas Routes: A Future of Convergence
  • B5. Catalytic Process R&D Scale-Up II
  • B6. Advances in Octane Enhancement
  • B7. Advances in High-Throughput Screening Methodologies
  • B8. Advances in Olefin Co-monomer and Polyolefin Production
  • B9. Advances in On-Purpose Technology for Mono- and Di-Olefins
  • B10. Recent Progress in Zeolitic Membranes for Gas Separations and Catalysis
  • B11. CO2 Conversion Startups for Venture Capital
  • B12. Progress Towards Cost-Effective and Sustainable H2 Production
  • B13. CO2 Utilization in Reforming
  • B14. Benchmarking CO2 Capture Technology (Vol. 3): Update on Selected Pre-/Oxy Combustion and Post-Combustion Capture Routes
  • B15. Integration of Renewable Energy in CO2 Capture and Conversion Processes
  • B16. System Perspectives/Net GHG Benefit of CO2 Conversion Technologies
  • GROUP C
  • C1. Specialty Zeolites in Catalysis: International, Technical and Commercial Progress, A NEW ERA!
  • C2. The Industrial Adsorbents Business: Commercial Strategy, Technical and R&D Assessment in Refining, Chemicals/Syngas, Natural Gas and Industrial Gases
  • C3. The Catalytic Process Industries in China: Markets, Technologies & Strategic Implications – Update 2013
  • C4. Unconventional Catalytic Olefins Production: Commercial Vision and Breakout?
  • C5. Advances in Aromatics Production
  • C6. Advances in Methanol to Products
  • C7. Advances in Refinery Cracking Catalysts and Processes II
  • C8. Dehydrogenation and Oxidative Dehydrogenation II
  • C9. Advances in Olefin Purification via Catalysis and Sorbent Materials
  • C10. Advances in Catalyst Supports
  • C11. Catalytic Conversion of Syngas to Chemical Products II
  • C12. Advances in Catalysis with Precious Metals
  • C13. Advances in Catalysis for Oxidation Intermediates and Derivatives
  • C14. Advances in C1 Chemistry
  • C15. Going to Zero Sulfur II
  • C16. R&D Advances in Catalysis of Biochemicals
  • C17. Energy Efficiency/CO2 Mitigation Case Study Series – Vol. 2: Petrochemicals and Chemicals
  • C18. Integrated CO2 Capture and Conversion from Flue Gases
  • C19. Progress Towards Technologically and Commercially Viable CO2 Conversion to Olefins, Acids and Esters
  • C20. Advances in Energy Efficiency via Separations Technology
  • C21. Process/Energy Integration in CO2 Capture: Opportunities and Challenges
  • C22. Energy Efficiency/CO2 Mitigation Case Study Series – Vol. 1: Refining and Fuels
  • C23. Catalytic Routes to CO2 Conversion: An Assessment of the Technology Pipeline
  • C24. CO2 in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Sources, Capture Technologies and Applications
  • C25. Conversion of CO2 to Syngas and Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG): Technologies and Markets
  • C26. Fundamental Limitations on CO2 Capture Processes
  • C27. Analysis of Demand for Captured CO2 and Products from CO2 Conversion
  • C28. Retrofit Suitability of Competing CO2 Capture Technologies

Δ

TCGR REPORT TITLES*
*Note that reports from TCGR’s membership programs are protected by membership agreements, restricting access for a period of three years from their production dates; as a result, only program reports older than three years are included in the listing below.

A techno-economic investigation commissioned by the members of the Carbon Dioxide Capture & Conversion (CO₂CC) Program

See PPT Deck here (as PDF) | See Report TofC here (as PDF)

To meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement (limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 ⁰C over pre-industrial levels), several decarbonization strategies are being considered. CCS is one such option. Although it has not been the most popular choice historically with concerns around cost, solvent toxicity and scalability, it is now seeing a greater focus. CCS is regarded as an enabling technology for producing “blue hydrogen” with a low carbon footprint, storing CO₂ captured from the air (Direct Air Capture) as well as its more traditional application for decarbonizing large fossil fuel power generation plants and petroleum refineries.  

TCGR’s report, Technical and Commercial Progress Towards Viable CO₂ Storage, considers the technical and commercial feasibility of CCS from three critical perspectives: regulatory, transportation and storage. It provides a timely synopsis of the major enabling factors that need to be progressed for CCS to move forward. It will be of considerable value to existing stakeholders and newcomers looking to understand the status of CCS and provides a view of what is needed to improve its prospects of becoming a significant method for reducing GHG via wide-scale deployment.

TCGR’s CO₂CC Program is an industrial consortium dedicated to seeking, reporting and developing win-win economic solutions to CO₂ capture and conversion focused on practical ways to improve “energy efficiency” which generate both savings and lower costs to enhance your bottom-line profitability! It has been working hard since 2010, with numerous resources already in place.

Don’t be left behind! Align with leading industrial member-companies like BASF, ExxonMobil, Linde, Petrobras, Reliance and Total, among others, in the CO₂ conversion space by joining the CO₂CC Program today. This is the only way to get TCGR’s in-depth and unparalleled report, Technical and Commercial Progress Towards Viable CO₂ Storage.

See PPT Deck here (as PDF) | See Report TofC here (as PDF)

More information about this report and other services of the CO₂CC Program can be seen at http://www.catalystgrp.com/php/tcgr_co2cc.php.

 Call +1-215-628-4447 or e-mail Chris Dziedziak at cdziedziak@catalystgrp.com, and we’ll be happy to discuss these and other interesting membership benefits.

* * * * *

The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR), a member of The Catalyst Group, is dedicated to monitoring and analyzing technical and commercial developments in catalysis as they apply to the global refining, petrochemical, fine/specialty chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer/elastomer and environmental industries.

Oil-to-chemicals: New approaches from resid and VGOs

By JOHN. J. MURPHY and CLYDE F. PAYN, The Catalyst Group

SPRING HOUSE, PA – The Catalyst Group (TCG) and The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR)are pleased to announce two new additions to their Board of Directors (BOD). The BOD was created in early 2019 to deepen and expand the company’s international exposure to existing and new customers through the deployment of leading industry executives. Carlos A. Cabrera and Suleyman Ozmen, both leading, senior-management-level executives are well known subject matter experts in the fields of catalysis and thus are in an excellent position to leverage strategic, commercial development and entrepreneurial opportunities. Their combined track record includes decades of experience from within leading corporations engaging around the world. More specifically:

Carlos A. Cabrera is an independent consultant based in the greater Chicago Area. His fields of Expertise include Energy, Fuels, Chemicals, Leadership, Strategy and General Management. He is a recognized world expert in the Oil and Gas and Petrochemical Industries. Mr. Cabrera has served on several US and foreign based Corporate Boards for both private and public companies. Carlos is the Executive Chairman of Genomatica, a San Diego based Biotechnology firm. Mr. Cabrera is a Distinguished Associate to the World Energy Consultancy FACTS and serves on the Board of Directors of the Gas Technology Institute. He was previously the President/CEO and then Chairman of UOP, the founding President and CEO of the National Institute of Low Carbon and Clean Energy (NICE) based in Beijing, China, and the Executive Chairman of Ivanhoe Energy. He is a member of the Global Advisory Board of the University of the Chicago Booth School of Business. Mr. Cabrera is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Chemical Engineering Department at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Board member of the Loker Institute at the University of Southern California. Granted nine patents by the U.S. Patent Office, Mr. Cabrera was inducted to the University of Kentucky Engineering Hall of Distinction and honored with the Honeywell Corporation 2008 Senior Leadership Award, among several other distinctions. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

Suleyman Ozmen has extended global downstream business experience with leading organizations (IFP, UOP, Amoco Chemicals, BP and Shell Global Solutions) in refining and petrochemical technology commercialization, licensing, intellectual property management, business and joint venture development, and service business. His specific strengths are in leading technology commercialization, concluding major licensing deals, running global sales for license, catalyst and services, and implementing business strategies. Mr. Ozmen is recognized as refining and petrochemicals industries leading licensing expert with an extensive external business network and has led many successful global technology alliances and built many technology business organizations. He has led negotiations to conclude licensing, guarantee, engineering and catalyst supply contracts resulting in more than a billion MM in net revue to UOP, BP/Amoco and Shell GS. He has also led with success licensing, catalyst and service business with profit accountabilities over $100 million a year. Mr. Ozmen managed successful R&D programs for commercialization of new technologies and new catalyst (etherification process, xylene isomerization, propane dehydrogenation, solid bed alkylation for lab). He was a major contributor to management teams in building successful technology organizations.

About The Catalyst Group and The Catalyst Group Resources

The Catalyst Group (TCG), a global boutique consultancy with over 35 years-experience, serves a diverse spectrum of process industries, including refining, chemicals, natural gas, polymers, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals and related industries (such as catalyst manufacturers, EPCs, material sciences, pharmaceuticals, and environmental services).The Catalyst Group provides consulting to our clients in two ways: via client directed projects by The Catalyst Group Consulting (TCGC) and via various programs and studies by The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR).

The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR), a member of The Catalyst Group, is dedicated to monitoring and analyzing technical and commercial developments in catalysis and is known for its visionary stance in the identification of novel technologies that lead to the development of new markets and industries. Clients who join our programs/studies benefit by being leaders in these new opportunities for their competitive advantage.

CONTACT: Mark Wiley, Media Relations
Phone: 215-628-4447/Email: tcg@catalystgrp.com

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is launching the Advanced Combustion Catalyst and Aftertreatment Technologies II (AC2AT™-II) consortium focusing on engine emissions solutions and innovative catalyst technologies. The AC2AT-II kickoff meeting will be Nov. 15 at SwRI’s headquarters in San Antonio and is open to interested automotive industry manufacturers. SwRI launched the AC2AT consortium in 2014. “In the first phase, AC2AT made considerable advances in understanding how complex emissions control systems affect today’s high-performance, high-efficiency gasoline and diesel engines,” said Scott Eakle, a principal engineer in SwRI’s Diesel Engine and Emissions Research and Development Department. The program developed models to predict deposit formation, growth and composition for urea-based selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment systems, characterized the complex emissions emitted from advanced combustion regimes, as well as evaluated how the physical and chemical properties of lube oil derived ash affect aftertreatment component performance. “We will build on research initiated during the first phase to further our understanding of the effects these complex emissions properties have on aftertreatment systems,” he said. For more information about the AC2AT-II consortium or to attend the meeting, contact Scott Eakle at (210) 522-5095. or visit consortia.swri.org. Source: Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), 9/5/2018.

An industrial-scale pilot plant that will use surplus hydrogen from refinery operations to produce power is taking shape in Australia. Industrial alkaline fuel cell power company AFC Energy on July 12 said it received its first commercial order for a hydrogen power generation unit in Australia from Southern Oil Refining, a subsidiary of Northern Oil. AFC’s alkaline fuel cell technology converts oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy, producing demineralized water and heat as byproducts. The company recently wrapped up a two-year pilot in Germany at an industrial plant owned by Air Products, which accepted hydrogen from Dow Chemicals. The project, POWER-UP, was a European Union–backed demonstration. The new pilot, expected to be sized between 200 kW and 400 kW, will be located at Northern Oil’s Advanced Biofuels Refinery, near Gladstone, Australia. The refinery currently converts several waste streams, including from sugarcane bagasse, “green waste” from cities, woody weeds like prickly acacia, and tires as feedstock for the production of bio-crude oil. The renewable fuel is refined into saleable kerosene and diesel products, but it requires large volumes of industrial stable biohydrogen to support the refining process. Northern Oil is developing a new hydrogen generation technology that uses steam over iron reduction and chemical looping to deliver hydrogen, processes that are reportedly cheaper than conventional steam methane reforming. Surplus hydrogen generated from this system is expected to be consumed by AFC’s fuel cell system. AFC said the pilot power system could be delivered to the Gladstone refinery in the first half of 2019. The company is now conducting engineering studies to determine the final project size, scope, contract terms, and general logistics for integration of the hydrogen power generation unit fuel system into the refinery. Source: Power, 7/18/2018.

German refineries have historically relied on crude oil from Russia/CIS (35%), the North Sea (32%), the Middle East (18%) and North and West Africa (15%). However, recent decreases in North Sea production require many German refineries to source crude supplies from farther afield, incurring logistical challenges and costs. Refinery throughput in Germany grew by 2% on the year in 2017, to approximately 2 MMbpd. However, it is possible that these figures will significantly decline in 2018 due to the continuing recovery in oil prices and other factors. In response to IMO 2020, Royal Dutch Shell Plc subsidiary Shell Deutschland Oil GmbH is evaluating the potential expansion of residual processing capacity at its 140-Mbpd refinery in Wesseling, Germany. The Wesseling refinery, together with the former Godorf refinery near Cologne, form Shell’s 325-Mbpd integrated Rheinland refinery, which is one of Germany’s largest. Other leading refiners are expected to follow suit. However, tightening environmental requirements may prevent the further expansion of production capacities within the German refining industry, and may even lead to a reduction in crude processing. Germany’s refining situation is aggravated by the fact that the country has very few product pipelines, so most of its oil products are transported via truck, train and barge, with high transportation costs. BP remains a leader in the German refining market and one of the largest product suppliers in the country. The company operates two refineries—the 265-Mbpd Gelsenkirchen complex and the 82-Mbpd Lingen refinery. BP also operates its own storage terminals, as well as five additional storage locations through the JV TransTank. Competition is expected to further tighten due to the influx of major foreign players in the German refining market in recent years. One of them is Russian leading oil producer Rosneft, which increased its ownership in several leading German refineries as a result of a recent deal with BP. Among the refining assets controlled by Rosneft in Germany are Bayernoil (which provides fuel to Bavaria and northern Austria; Rosneft holds a 25% stake), MiRO in Baden-Württemberg (24%) and PCK-Raffinerie (54.17%). As a result of its deal with BP, Rosneft now holds more than 12% of Germany’s refining capacity, making it the third-largest refiner in the country and one of the largest in the EU. Rosneft considers the German refining industry to be a promising area for future growth. The company plans to allocate up to €600 MM ($707 MM) for the development of the sector over the next 5 yr. The 2008 financial crisis and market stagnation of 2009–2016 accelerated the process of rationalization in the European refining sector, which retired 2.35 MMbpd of capacity. Over the last few years, German refining investments have focused on increasing diesel production. However, sophisticated refineries in other regions are flooding the market with low-priced middle distillates, making domestic fuel production less lucrative. Furthermore, rapid growth in distillation and conversion capacity in the Middle East and Asia threaten the German refining sector. The German refining system, with its relatively lower complexity and utilization, faces difficulty in competing against newer, larger, more sophisticated refineries. Source: Hydrocarbon Processing, 6/2018, p.17.