(145f) Market Developments for Opportunity Crude Processing

Crude oil supply patterns are changing rapidly as production from traditional supply basins decline and new sources of supply come on-stream in the Atlantic Basin. The presentation would discuss and quantify the issues and impacts that these new crude oil streams will have on refiners' crude oil supplies, qualities and related operating challenges. The specific areas that would be covered include.... A continuing build-up of new and developing supply sources from the deep water Gulf of Mexico, production from the Caspian region, expansion of exports from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), new streams from West Africa and China, expansion of synthetic crude oil and bitumen supplies from Canada and developments in Latin America.... Prospects for production and quality shifts from traditional U.S. crude oil suppliers such as Mexico, Venezuela and Middle East producers.... Developing market pressures that change crude oil trade patterns, pricing dynamics and regional refinery expansions.... The historical and anticipated changes in crude oil qualities and the potential impact of these changes in consideration of refinery operating strategies.... Highlight opportunities and issues that changing supply patterns and qualities would imply for the major refining markets, including N.W. Europe, U.S. and Asia refiners. The presentation would be of broad interest to refiners (as well as upstream market participants) and would best fit the agenda of the Upgrading and Processing of Opportunity Crudes Session (TA 017) at the 2006 Spring National Meeting.