(97c) Shale Gas Boom and Tight Oil - a New Era for the Refining Industry

Production of Tight Oil from the Shale Gas Plays in the U.S. is having a profound effect on the Refining Industry.  Refiners are maximizing the amount of advantaged, "tight oil", they can feed their crude units some with geographic locations that allow them to capitalize the most on the sometimes attractive spreads provided by what is mostly light and sweet crude.  New topping columns, crude units and condensate splitters are being constructed in various refineries in the U.S.  This paper provides an overview of some of the studies and projects that are taking place and provides an overview across the spectrum of possibilities that refiners are facing.  Burns & McDonnell has much experience with actual projects that will be highlighted to provide an exciting overview of this activity.