Ethane looks even better for petrochemicals in the long run
November 4, 2011
Another Oil Shock? | www.mckinseyquarterly.com
McKinsey poses a scenario where crude oil rises to $125 to $175 per barrel, forcing fundamental structural changes. One of those changes is reduced consumption of oil in petrochemical production. This is more good news for additional ethane-based petrochemical capacity.
The Startup That's Working On a Real Petrochemical Game-Changer
October 5, 2011
Ethylene Production Technology | www.technologyreview.com
A startup called Siluria has developed catalysts that can convert methane (natural gas) directly and selectively to ethylene. The technology is said to be a vast improvement over the existing MTO (methane to olefins) technology, which is expensive and not very selective. If economically viable, this technology would have a significant impact on both the ethylene industry and stranded gas.
New Wave of Ethylene Crackers -- This Won’t Happen
July 7, 2011
POLL FINDINGS: Industry forecasts wave of new North America crackers by 2020 | www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com
Hydrocarbon Processing conducted a poll with results finding that 77% of respondents think four or more new ethylene crackers will be built by 2020. An amazing 31% think eight or more will be built. This won’t happen!
Demand Destruction of Butadiene
June 29, 2011
Asia tyre makers may opt to switch to NR on spiking BR prices | www.icis.com
The reduction in SBR in tire formulations probably represents real demand destruction for butadiene as the minimization has been in place for years. The reduction in butyl rubber could represent further real demand destruction for butadiene. However, this is still flexible, depending on prices. It is not easy to add supply of natural rubber as you have to wait for a tree to grow. Therefore, the give/take of butyl rubber versus natural rubber may go on for some time.
Butadiene Continues to be Too Tight
June 15, 2011
US Goodyear declares force majeure on SBR | www.icis.com
The butadiene problem is endemic in the U.S. Crude C4 is produced as a coproduct of ethylene when heavier feedstocks are cracked. The easy availability of relatively cheap ethane, enhanced by the new shale gas has driven feedstock slates to ethane, producing very little crude C4 for processing into butadiene.
Ethane from Marcellus—At What Price
June 7, 2011
Shell Plans to Build Ethylene Cracker in Marcellus Region | www.industryweek.com
The pricing of ethane from the Marcellus Shale Play will be a complex mix of interests. Gas producers will welcome the offtake of ethane, but need frac spreads that meet commercial thresholds as a whole. However, to justify the $1-1.5 billion investment in an ethylene cracker, secure supply of ethane and advantaged prices will be necessary. Otherwise, ethylene producers would undertake less capital intensive expansions at U.S. Gulf Coast facilities.
Satellites in Orbit and PackagingConnections.com
May 3, 2011
Satellites in Orbit and PackagingConnections.com | www.packagingconnections.com
www.PackagingConnections.com from India is participating at Interpack 2011 which is world's largest packaging show once in three years. This show is more than 50 years old. Idea is to meet packaging community face to face. Some key members of PackagingConnections would be present at the show.
Silgan - Graham Merger: An Intriguing Marriage
April 25, 2011
Silgan Outlines $4.5 Billion of Debt for Graham Packaging M&A | www.bloomberg.com
The merger of Silgan Packaging and Graham Packaging sets the stage for an interesting year for rigid plastic packaging companies. Certainly, there exists pent-up interest in consolidation of the consumer blow molding industry so those watching this wedding will be interested in how the nuptials unfold.
Can Rock-Tenn Overcome the Smurfit-Stone Legacy of Mediocrity and Hubris
February 28, 2011
RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Announce Early Termination of HSR Waiting Period | finance.yahoo.com
The immediate challenge for Rock-Tenn is not the disgruntled Smurfit-Stone shareholders in a valuation battle or the sorting out of structure for the assimilated organization. Of far greater import to them will be how to build passion and commitment in an underachieving business. Employees have grown weary of unfulfilled management initiatives. Smurfit customers have become trained that no price increase will ever go undiscounted and issues of non-performance can be minimized the same way.
Implications on Petrochemicals of Iran's Gasoline Supply
September 21, 2010
Iran sharply cuts petchem exports, reconsiders gasoline imports | www.zawya.com
Iran switched its petrochemical facilities over to produce gasoline. With operating rates in the Middle East hovering quite low, this might sound like good news. At best, the scheme just adds uncertainty to petrochemical markets.
Chesapeake Energy bites the natural gas bullet
January 25, 2012
Flurry of newbuild drilling rig deliveries in 2012 may dampen rig rates
January 20, 2012
Talisman joins the ranks of cautious E&P companies
January 12, 2012
Early signs of caution begin to cloud frontier exploration and production
January 4, 2012
Two global energy pipeline projects deserve attention
November 15, 2011