Middle East
Bids for Petroplus refinery rejected by French court
3rd May, 2013
Bids by companies offering to take over the bankrupt refiner's site have been rejected.
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Oil pipeline agreement between Jordan and Iraq
25th April, 2013
Jordan and Iraq have signed an agreement to build a major oil pipeline between Basra and Aqaba
Syria's oil industry struggling amidst rebel advancement
24th April, 2013
Syria's oil production is suffering as rebels capture oil fields.
Weak crude demand causes MENA oil export economies to slow
23rd April, 2013
Economic growth in Middle East and North Africa oil-exporting countries is expected to fall this year.
Tags: Lubes news, Middle East
New Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi
22nd April, 2013
Abu Dhabi has opened a new agency to deal with environmental crises
Iraq to spend $130bn on energy infrastructure as Libya picks up
21st March, 2013
Iraq will spend $130bn on developing the country's upstream sector, while Libya's output has also risen as a result of local and inward investment.
China willing to join Exxon at Iraqi oilfield
22nd March, 2013
CNPC may form JV with Exxon to exploit Iraqi oil blocks.
Waste fuel to reach new heights
6th March, 2013
A pilot will attempt an intercontinental world first in an aircraft powered only by household plastic waste
Home or away for New Year's Day?
22nd February, 2013
Many Chinese decide to celebrate New Year abroad.
Boost to Lukoil's 2013 Output
6th February, 2013
Lukoil expects to boost output by 1.5 percent this year from Siberian and Iraqi output.
Confused picture over Iranian sanctions
5th February, 2013
US Iranian sanctions are apparently having an impact on the country, but some exemptions are easing the energy situation.
Future solar energy deals for Total and Masdar?
1st February, 2013
Total is seeking a closer relationship with Masdar on future solar energy deals as Abu Dhabi plant nears completion.
Iran plans to increase crude oil production
29th January, 2013
Iran plans to increase crude oil production by 2016
Iraqi Kurdish region's oil exports continue
28th January, 2013
Despite Baghdad's opposition, Genel Energy continues Kurdish oil exports, while BP may have approval for exploration takeover.
Myanmar pipeline to be completed by May
23rd January, 2013
Next piece of Beijing's energy plan forecast to be in place by Spring
US renews China-Iran exemption as imports soar
23rd January, 2013
Latest regulatory decision means China continues imports from Middle East nation.
OPEC predicts strong 2013 output
4th January, 2013
Record 2012 may be followed by strong 2013 for the oil producing nations' conglomerate as US fuel prices escalate.
Lukoil out of Iraq as Israeli drilling gets go-ahead
4th January, 2013
Lukoil has pulled out of plans to develop Quarna-1, while Israeli court says 'yes' to Meged drilling and Egyptian blocs put up for auction.
Sasol to invest heavily in historic plant.
8th January, 2013
Sasol gives the green light to invest billions in a new GTL/ethelene complex in the US.
Petrofac wins Aramco contracts
4th January, 2013
UK-based construction specialists win two project contracts worth more than $1bn
Chinese company to maintain Iran imports
28th December, 2012
Major Chinese supplier to maintain links with Iran despite sanctions
CNPC frontrunner to buy Exxon’s Iraqi oil stake
24th December, 2012
China oil giant may clinch Middle East oil deal, but it's not over yet.
Taqa will buy BP package
8th December, 2012
BP to sell package to Taqa
Jordan to get oil from Iraq
5th December, 2012
Iraq offers 100,000 barrels of crude to Jordan
Total and OiLibya plant comes onstream
5th December, 2012
New world-class lubricant plant and oil product depot in Egypt in operation.
China to become main buyer of Iraqi oil by 2030
21st November, 2012
China looks to Middle East nation to boost energy imports
Afghanistan shortlist
15th November, 2012
Middle East bidders on shortlist for new Afghanistan exploration project
Gulf takes Houghton as Samsung wins Yanbu
12th November, 2012
Gulf OIl has won the race to buy Houghton International, while Samsung Engineering takes the the Saudi development contract to expand the Yanbu refinery.
Sino-Israeli start-up aims at China market
25th October, 2012
New car brand looks aims at already crowded auto market.
China delivers first supertanker to Iran
19th October, 2012
First of twelve VLCCs arrives in Middle East.
Delfin can trade abroad
9th October, 2012
Troubled Delfin Group has been given clearance to begin trading abroad after a Federal US ban.
Sinochem wins government approval for $4.6bn refinery
24th September, 2012
Authorities give go-ahead for large refinery in Quanzhou
Europe and Asia bids for refinery expansion
12th September, 2012
Saudi Aramco has received bids from Europe and Asia for expansion of its Yanbu refinery.
Singapore and China exempt from Iran sanctions
24th July, 2012
US sanctions do not apply after significant reduction in oil purchases
CNPC oil equity output booms in H1
21st July, 2012
PetroChina's parent company reports healthy growth in overseas output.
China invests $20bn in Iraqi oilfields
21st July, 2012
China's oil majors have committed to a significant drilling programme in two northern Iraqi oilfields.
View from the bridge - Bulletin 138 (July 2012)
5th July, 2012
US recovery may not be good news for OPEC along with oil sands and volatile oil prices; UEIL clamps down on rule breakers and tablets drive digital development.
China loans for Kazakh refinery as CNPC starts plant in Iraq
25th June, 2012
Kazakh government and oil industry is set to benefit from new deal with China, while CNPC begins operations in Iraq.
Saudis look to sell Fuchs JV stake as Germans invest in Australia
11th June, 2012
A Saudi group is looking to offload its stake in a JV with Fuchs Petrolub as the German company eyes investment in Australia
Law gets heavy with Jiffy Lube and Delfin
9th June, 2012
A class action lawsuit and criminal charges have been brought against Jiffy Lube and Delfin's President respectively.
Supertankers face delays as China fills oil reserves
29th May, 2012
A shipping jam is underway Chinese ports as imports arrive to replace the Iranian oil gap.
ADNOC to build new terminal
1st May, 2012
ADNOC is to build a new import terminal to help meet UAE fuel demands.
Tags: Lubes news, Middle East
Saudi firm expands presence in China
20th April, 2012
Petrochemicals giant to build multi-million dollar technology centre.
Iranian exports to China squeezed
19th April, 2012
Iranian oil exports squeezed by lack of Chinese processing and shipping insurance.
Libya increases exports to China
26th March, 2012
Sinopec and PetroChina to buy increased Libyan crude output
ENOC opens new lubes plant
15th March, 2012
Massive new blending and grease production plant in UAE uses the latest technology.
Kuwait and Total reach deal for China refinery
27th February, 2012
Multi-billion-dollar deal paves the way for new Guangdong province refinery
Korea builds new refinery as India negotiates with Iran
9th February, 2012
Korea is joining with Shell to build a new base oil plant as India sends a delegation to Iran to negotiate oil payments.
Honeywell tech to help boost Pakistan output
9th February, 2012
Honeywell UOP technology will be used in a new refining plant in Karangi
Iran sanctions may not affect China oil demand
25th January, 2012
Tough EU oil sanctions on Iran may cause price squeeze and complications with China
CNPC aims at further records after declaring overseas milestone
20th January, 2012
China's largest energy firm announces record output levels, with more to come over the next four years.
Sinopec delivers first Middle-Eastern fuel cargo
19th January, 2012
BP joint venture gives China supplier its first bunker fuel sale.
Training is order of the day in Nigeria and Abu Dhabi
9th January, 2012
Airline maintenance staff and auto technicians are the latest beneficiaries of training programmes by lubes producers.
Nissan gamers race for real
6th January, 2012
It started as a game, but now Grand Tourismo players will take part in a real race.
World's second tallest building underway in Shanghai
3rd January, 2012
China is building another massive landmark to rival Dubai's tallest.
Terminal boosts in Oman and Asia
23rd December, 2011
Two new agreements are set to boost lube storage operations in Oman and China
Saudi struggles with oil sales to Asia
23rd December, 2011
Asian refiners are reluctant to use recent additional Saudi output
Congress calls on oil industry to encourage careers
23rd December, 2011
The World Petroleum Congress believes the oil sector needs to work harder to bring young people into the industry
Tags: innovation, Middle East
Chinese deepen oil ties with Kuwait
19th December, 2011
New plant and increased exports in Kuwait but Libyan investments may stall.
First GTL shipment from Pearl to US
2nd December, 2011
Arrival of first shipment of Gas-To-Liquid from new Shell plant to Houston.
Jordan forges ahead with massive shale power plants
2nd December, 2011
Jordan deals with China and Estonia to develop world's largest shale oil power plants.
ENOC produces high-performance lube
2nd December, 2011
ENOC has produced a 'first in kind' synthetic engine oil for the Middle East and African region
World Bank predicts severe oil crunch by 2015
21st November, 2011
World Bank consultant claims oil could exceed $150 within five years.
Iran moots avgas exports as Bahrain plant opens
20th October, 2011
Iran may begin exporting aviation fuel, while a new Group III plant starts up in Bahrain.
OPEC cuts global oil demand forecasts
19th October, 2011
OPEC has reduced its demand forecasts for the rest of 2011 and 2012 as global economy weakens.
ExxonMobil backs phone study
6th October, 2011
ExxonMobil is backing research into mobile technology for developing countries' female entrepreneurs
BP stands firm on Iraq but coy on Macondo
6th October, 2011
BP says it won't negotiate on Rumaila Field contracts and is shy on Macondo legal deal.
A lubricant a day keeps the doctor away
3rd October, 2011
A cocktail of lubricants and engine additives provides a healthy diet for a Middle Eastern car mechanic.
China and Kuwait Plan a $9bn Collaboration
28th September, 2011
A new multi-billion dollar refining operation has received Chinese government go-ahead
Libyan change could isolate Russia and China
8th September, 2011
The fall of the Gaddafi regime has started a new oil race in the Libya
Debt repayment is order of the day
1st September, 2011
Indian buyers freed up to repay Iran debts as Ghana looks to payment in kind to offset China loan.
New drilling in Syria
25th July, 2011
Exploration begins in Itheria four years after licence is awarded
Tags: Lubes news, Middle East
China steps up global oil investment
15th July, 2011
China is increasing its global oil presence with new investments in the Middle East, Africa and South America
Iraq pushes oil output
8th June, 2011
Iraq is set to overcome oil infrastructure problems to increase output.
Tags: Lubes news, Middle East
CNOOC goes deep and shares exploration
2nd June, 2011
China Offshore builds the country's largest deep rig and sells shares in China Sea and Middle East blocks.
Lube recycling plant saves waste damage in Bahrain
13th May, 2011
A new recycling plant is already prevent significant damage from dumped waste oil in the Kingdom.
Closest ever World Rally result
29th April, 2011
Citroen were involved in the closest World Rally event ever recorded.
Shell Pearl plant underway
31st March, 2011
One of Shell's largest ever infrastructure projects, the Pearl GTL Plant, is on the road to production
Middle East unrest - Potential Impact on Energy Markets
16th March, 2011
RPS Energy's Simon Telling surveys the current political climate in the Middle East and its potential impact on oil supplies.
View from the Bridge - Bulletin 122 (March 11)
7th March, 2011
Political instability in North Africa and the Middle East puts oil dependency into sharp relief, while the ICIS Conference offers plenty of thoughts on other oil-related issues.
Abu Dhabi purchases Cepsa
25th February, 2011
Abu Dhabi's IPIC has bought Total's share of Cepsa to take 100% stake.
Takreer to expand production by 2013
31st January, 2011
Saudi-owned Takreer is set to expand is refining operations and open a diesel plant.
Saudi ambitions to maximise reserves
24th January, 2011
Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding oil products and services to maximise returns on hydrocarbon reserves.
Engen moves into Africa as Kline report shows demand increase
22nd December, 2010
Engen has concluded its purchase of Chevron assets in Africa as Kline projects base oil growth in Africa and Middle East to 2019.
Shell plans marine business in Dubai
17th November, 2010
Shell is set to launch a large-scale marine lubricants operation in Jebel Ali Port
Valvoline goes for new look
27th September, 2010
Valvoline has repackaged its EMEA motor oil products.
New auto lube factory planned for Jordan
17th July, 2010
An Iraqi investment consortium is set to build a $50m car lube plant in Jordan
Galana seals Madagascar deal
17th July, 2010
Galana has sealed a distribution deal with Engen for Madagascar - one of a number for the Galana group.
Kuwait boosts European market presence
1st July, 2010
Kuwait Petroleum International is expanding its European market presence, starting with expansion of its storage facilities.
Shell completes Greek sale as Total seals Saudi finance
1st July, 2010
Shell completed the sale of its Greek downstream businesses, while Saudi Aramco has clinched $8.5bn funding for a new refinery.
Hinduja to float Petromin shares
7th June, 2010
Hinduja Group is planning a public sale of 30% of Saudi-based Petromin.
Total plan first Saudi lubes plant
7th June, 2010
Total is planning a 25,000 metric tonne lubes production plant in Saudi Arabia due to be commissioned in 2012
Emirates subsidiary signs major fleet deal
21st May, 2010
EPPCO has signed an exclusive lubes supply deal with the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group.
Lubes News - Bulletin 107 (Nov 09)
1st November, 2009
Labelling and chemicals lead the news this month, ups and downs for BASF, China's Sinopec revealed its global ambitions for the lubricants market and why grease is good for the bottom line.


