-Offshore oil and gas drilling along the East Coast could generate as much as $60 billion in economic value to coastal states, according to a new study commissioned by the Interstate Policy Alliance. Via FuelFix, the potential economic benefit dwarfs the $19 billion maximum estimated price tag for environmental impacts of drilling. The federal government is currently evaluating whether or not it will sell oil and gas leases in the Atlantic Ocean.
-PBF Energy is set to begin a 40-day turnaround at its Toledo, Ohio, refinery Oct. 10, Reuters reports. PBF CEO Tom Nimbley said last month the $130 million turnaround would result in improved cat cracker production and increased distillate production capability.
-PDVSA has wrapped up major maintenance on a 70,000-barrel-per-day distillation unit at its Puerto La Cruz refinery.
-Refined petroleum product exports jumped 7.5% year-over-year in August, according to the American Petroleum Institute. Exports reached just over 4 million barrels per day — a record for August. API said the refinery capacity utilization rate averaged 92.9% in August.
-Dow Chemical announced that Paula Tolliver would succeed retiring 39-year Dow veteran Dave Kepler as vice president of business services and CIO. Tolliver previously served as corporate vice president of business services and information systems for Dow. Dow also named Neil C. Hawkins corporate vice president and chief sustainability officer. Hawkins has held various leadership positions in environmental, health and safety, public and government affairs, operations and management and R&D since joining Dow in 1988.
