Many US refinery expansion plans remain in flux as 2007 begins

摘要

New York-As 2007 begins,many US refinery expansion plans remain in flux while companies grapple with rising costs and changing product supply-demand scenarios.Sunoco appeared to usher in a change in US refiner strategy at the end of 2006,deciding to forgo 70,000 b/d of pricey crude capacity expansion plans for lower cost upgrading projects that focus on making more diesel (OPR 12/14).While ultra low sulfur diesel demand in the US is up 4% to 5% over the last few years,demand for heating oil and fuel oil aren't growing,according to Joel Maness,head of Sunoco refining and supply.