Crude Oil Research Articles

SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND INDEPENDENT OIL MARKETERS’ ACTIVITIES IN THE NIGERIAN DOWNSTREAM SECTOR: A CATALYST FOR PROGRESS

It is general assumed that the removal of an impediment to the development of a matter can stimulate progress. The Nigerian economy is a mono economy solely dependent on the proceeds from oil for survival Crude oil is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy attracting up to 80% of the country foreign exchange. With its pivotal role in the development of the Nigerian economy this study focuses on accessing the activities of independent oil marketers in the Nigerian downstream oil and gas sector within the context of subsidy removal with the intention of making a case for their scrapping or retention. The marketing function of distribution is at the heart of marketing which borders squarely on logistics. However, the nefarious activities of oil distributors otherwise called independent oil marketers erode this function completely. The study adopts a thematic research design wherein existing literature on the subject matter were reviewed to discover gaps and outcomes for future research. From the findings, the retention of the independent oil marketers’ activities due to its vital position in the provision of the final consumer is recommended however, an increase in the supply of crude oil within the economy through the revitalization of the dilapidated refineries in Nigeria should also be considered; this would reduce the dependency on oil and development other sectors of the economy.

Characterization of Sulfur Oxidizing Bacteria and Their Effect on Growth Promotion of Brassica napus L.

Oil seeds sector is one of the major dynamic components of the agriculture world. Oil seeds such as canola (Brassica napus) require a higher quantity of sulfur (S), which is supplied through inorganic fertilizers. However, the overapplication of agro-chemicals to get higher yields of crops is harming the soil health. Therefore, the application of bacterial cultures with plant growth-promoting activity as biofertilizers ensures soil health maintenance and enhances crop productivity. To achieve this aim, the present research was initiated by procuring three sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOBs), namely, SOB 5, SOB 10, and SOB 38, from the Microbiology Department, PAU. In the initial assessment, all three SOB cultures showed resilience to pesticide toxicity at the recommended dosage, with the exception of ridomil. These cultures were later characterized morphologically, biochemically, and at the molecular level using 16s rRNA resulting in their identification as Enterobacter ludwigii strain Remi_9 (SOB 5), Enterobacter hormaechei strain AUH-ENM30 (SOB 10), and Bacillus sp. 5BM21Y12 (SOB 38). Functional characterization of these SOB cultures revealed their ability to exhibit multifarious plant growth-promoting traits. Bacillus sp. 5BM21Y12 showed greater functional activity, including high P solubilization (14.903 µg/mL), IAA production (44.28 µg/mL), siderophore production (13.89 µg/mL), sulfate ion production (0.127 mM), ammonia excretion (2.369 µg/mL), and Zn solubilization (22.62 mm). Based on the results of functional and molecular characterization, Bacillus sp. 5BM21Y12 was selected for field trials by formulating different treatments. Composite treatment, T8 (100% S + Bacillus sp. + pesticides) significantly enhanced growth parameters (plant height, root, and shoot biomass), yield attributes (siliqua length, test weight, number of siliqua/plant), yield parameter (total biomass and seed yield), quality parameter (crude protein and oil) as compared to all other sole treatments employed in the field. A combined application of non-pathogenic Bacillus sp. 5BM21Y12, with good functional activity enhanced yield of crop due to synergistic and additive interaction with fertilizer/pesticides. As biofertilizer application reduces the input of pesticides/fertilizers new inoculant formulations with cell protectors and the development of compatible pesticides should be searched to assure the benefits of integrated treatment.

Structural, rheological and thermal properties of crude palm oil obtained in pressed, sifted and clarification stages using ultrasound-assisted

Abstract Crude palm oil (CPO) is commonly used in the oil industry. This study presents a comparison of the structural, rheological, and thermal properties of clarified CPO (CCPO) sample obtained using the conventional method and ultrasound-assisted (UA)-treated samples. These samples were obtained in the pressed (press liquor, PL), sifted (sifted liquor, SL), and clarification (outlet sludge, OS) stages. The frequencies used for the UA-treated samples were 40 and 80 kHz for 30 min. The PL and SL samples exhibited higher resistance to oxidative deterioration and nutritional quality than the CCPO sample did. The maximum oil extractability percentage (OEP) of the UA-treated samples relative to that of CCPO was 7.4 %. The bleachability index (DOBI) values of the UA-treated samples were higher (between 2.06 and 2.58) than that of the CCPO sample (1.43). However, the viscosity (η) displayed opposite trend. The thermal stability did not exhibit consistent patterns with increasing frequency.

Retraction notice: Asymmetry in the prices of crude oil and diesel and gasoline prices in Brazil

Retraction notice: Asymmetry in the prices of crude oil and diesel and gasoline prices in Brazil

Genetic and metabolic engineering approaches for enhanced biodesulfurization of petroleum fractions

Sulfur, an abundant component of crude oil, causes severe damage to the environment, poses risks to human health, and poisons the catalysts used in combustion engines. Hydrodesulfurization, the conventionally used method, is not sufficient to remove thiophenes like dibenzothiophene (DBT) and other aromatic heterocyclic compounds. The push for “ultra-clean” fuels, with sulfur content less than 15 ppm, drives the need for deep desulfurization. Thus, in conjunction with hydrodesulfurization, efficient and eco-friendly methods of deep desulfurization, like biodesulfurization, are desirable. In biodesulfurization, naturally desulfurizing microorganisms are used, with genetic engineering and biotechnology, to reduce the sulfur content of crude oil to below 15 ppm. In this review, we describe genetic and metabolic engineering approaches reported to date to develop more efficient methods to carry out biodesulfurization, making it a practically applicable reality.

Reflections of Economic Shocks and Price of Crude Oil on Gold Price Volatility within Asian Nations

The focus of this study is to examine the effects of economic shocks along with the crude oil price on gold prices in Asian countries. This study utilizes a regression analysis to measure the relationship between the macroeconomic indicators, crude oil price, and gold price in six selected nations from 1990 until 2022. The validity of the data was diagnostically checked by performing a VIF procedure, autocorrelation test, and normality test on residual, and data were analyzed via EViews software. The analysis showed mixed findings, however, a major variable that positively affects the fluctuation of the gold price is “the crude oil price” and it reflects global economic stability in the six countries. A sudden rise in crude oil prices might trigger conflicts in oil-exporting countries and limit access to material sources. This situation may force investors to move their funds into a safe-haven commodity like gold. The fluctuations in crude oil prices are not only a response to current market conditions but also alarming a lot more fundamental problems in an economy, which include approaching economic recessions, currency devaluation and a major financial crisis. For practical implications, this study suggests that policymakers pay extra attention to this commodity besides other economic indicators like inflation, interest and currency rates, and a GDP rate to ensure a sustainable economic condition. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that examines the economic shocks along with crude oil prices pre-and-post COVID-19 pandemic focusing on a few Asian countries.

Grey correlation analysis of the main influencing factors of wax deposition of waxy crude oil and determination of pigging period based on dynamic analysis

Normal temperature gathering and transportation has significant advantages in reducing energy consumption and cost. Due to the high wax content of crude oil in carbonate reservoirs, obvious wax deposition will occur in the process of gathering and transportation at room temperature. In this paper, according to the component analysis results of crude oil on site, the HEATANALOGY wax deposition model was used to calculate the wax deposition of different gathering pipelines. The main influencing factors of wax deposition were analyzed by grey correlation method. Finally, according to the pigging mechanical balance model, the safe pigging period is derived, and the relationship diagram of different pipe diameters, throughput and ground temperature is drawn. The results show that the wellhead temperature has the greatest influence on the initial wax deposition position and the peak wax deposition position of the pipe section. The flow rate has the greatest influence on the maximum wax deposition thickness of the tube wall. According to the relationship between the working conditions and the pigging cycle, it can be found that with the increase of the throughput, the pigging cycle decreases first and then increases. With the increase of ground temperature, the pigging cycle increases.

Optimasi Peningkatan Karakteristik Crude Palm Oil (CPO) sebagai Bahan Bakar Diesel

Indonesia is one of the largest palm oil-producing countries in the world, significantly contributing to global palm oil needs. The use of palm oil as fuel is generally achieved through the biodiesel manufacturing process; however, this process remains costly and thus less economical. Additionally, the primary obstacle in using crude palm oil (CPO) is its high viscosity, which can cause blockages in the fuel injector channels of diesel engines. Therefore, modifications are necessary to enhance the characteristics of CPO so that it can be used directly as diesel engine fuel. This can be achieved through heating and the addition of 2-EHN additives. This study aimed to optimize the characteristics of CPO using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to determine the optimal combination of temperature and 2-EHN concentration. The optimal point was identified at a temperature of 50°C and a 2-EHN concentration of 2%. The results of the CPO characteristic test showed a viscosity of 4.45 CSt, a density of 0.884 g/ml, a cetane number of 56.9, and a calorific value of 9314 kcal/kg

Composite Risk Assessment of HNS Discharged from Marine Industrial Facilities: A Case Study on Incheon Port, South Korea

This study conducted a composite risk assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of phenol, a Hazardous and Noxious Substance (HNS) released or leaked from port facilities. The study area was designated as the vicinity of Incheon Port, South Korea, where the volume of petrochemical-related materials is substantial and various industrial facilities are located. For the composite risk assessment, various vulnerability maps were developed, incorporating the dispersion range of phenol calculated through numerical modeling. The vulnerability maps were generated by classifying socio-environment, legally protected areas, habitats, and species, followed by integrating these individual vulnerability maps to construct an integrated vulnerability map. The composite risk assessment was conducted by considering both the integrated vulnerability map and the dispersion range of phenol. The assessment results indicated that the highest risk by depth was observed in the lower layers due to the settling characteristics of phenol. Spatially, areas where islands and coastlines converge exhibited relatively higher risks. This was attributed to the high concentrations of phenol released from industrial facilities, such as crude oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and organic compound manufacturers, in regions characterized by intense human activity, sensitive habitats, and legally protected areas. Continuous monitoring of these high-risk areas is crucial for assessing the environmental impacts of HNS substances like phenol.

A novel hybrid forecasting system for crude oil futures prices: A dual perspective of deterministic forecasting and uncertainty analysis

The crude oil market occupies a crucial place in the composition of the global economy, however, the high level of uncertainty in crude oil prices makes it a challenging task to construct reliable forecasting techniques to obtain reliable expected results. Therefore, to effectively cope with the high uncertainty and the technical limitations of existing forecasting studies, this study constructs a hybrid forecasting system from the dual perspectives of deterministic forecasting and uncertainty analysis. With the concept of “denoising-integration” as the core, the system integrates several denoising techniques, econometric methods, and artificial intelligence methods, and establishes a hybrid forecasting model with high accuracy and robustness with the assistance of multi-objective optimization theory. Furthermore, by introducing fuzzy theory onto the basis of deterministic prediction results, an interval forecasting model with a narrower interval width and better comprehensive performance is constructed under the premise of ensuring that the coverage of prediction intervals meets the requirements of the confidence level. In this study, the forecasting system is applied to four global core crude oil futures markets, and the empirical study finds that the performance is improved by more than 50 % compared with the benchmark model, which has an impressive performance advantage.

Climate change policing: Integrating environment-sensitive approaches in Nigerian security operations

Climate change has shifted from being solely a severe environmental challenge to becoming a critical threat to global security. Despite efforts to securitise climate change through speeches, policies, research, media and advocacy by various organisations, the specific roles of security agencies, especially in developing countries dealing with insurgencies, remain undefined. This study emphasises that an effective securitisation process must outline clear roles for security agencies, beginning with the creation of an environment friendly operational plan. In Nigeria, non-state violent groups use natural environments like forests and water bodies as hideouts, leading security forces to turn these areas into battlegrounds without environmental assessments or post-conflict remediation plans. This study investigates how eco-friendly practices are integrated into Nigerian security operations. Through 30 interviews and a critical analysis of climate-related policies, it was found that climate policies are not incorporated into security operations. This is evident in the criminalisation of forests, unsustainable disposal of crude oil and drugs, and correctional processes that ignore climate sensitivity. The study concludes that Nigerian security operations need a paradigm shift towards integrating climate-sensitive approaches, recommending that security agencies adopt practices that consider ecological impacts.

Development of Oil Industry in Poland in the Context of the European Union

Oil industry is developing well in Poland. This study aimed to examine the development of the Polish oil industry after joining the European Union. The following questions were asked: What were the changes in the consumption of vegetable oils in Poland after EU enlargement in 2004? How did the production of vegetable oil change in Poland after EU enlargement in 2004? And has the liquidity of the Polish oil industry changed after EU enlargement in 2004? First, the changes in the oil industry were evaluated. This research proved the development of the fat industry. We used the regression model to analyze the impact of chosen factors on the economic situation of the oil industry in Poland. Rapeseed is the main source of oil for the edible oil and biodiesel industry. High prices of rapeseed increased the sown area of rapeseed. The production of crude rapeseed oil changed from 520.1 thousand tons in 2005 to 1440 thousand tons in 2023. Biofuels made from rapeseed oils are called first generation. Poland’s production of refined rapeseed oil changed from 386.5 thousand tons in 2005 to 541 thousand tons in 2023. These numbers confirm the development of edible oil and biofuel production. The gross profit increased from PLN 133 mln in 2005 to PLN 443.8 mln in 2023. The net profit of the fat industry increased from PLN 110 mln in 2005 to PLN 381.6 mln in 2023. The oil industry is characterized by high investment, which reached the level of PLN 232.9 mln in 2023. The investment rate in 2023 was PLN 1.96 %. The changes observed in the rapeseed market after Poland joined the EU affected the performance of vegetable oil and biofuel producers. The regression analysis proved the hypothesis that the monthly consumption of rapeseed oil is the main factor influencing the oil industry situation in Poland. The oil industry is important to the development of the whole economy. Particular attention should be paid to current liquidity, which is why a constant supply of money from sold oil and biodiesel is needed to cover costs.

Research on the Correlation Between Carbon Emission Rights and Energy Market: A Case Study of EUA and Oil Market

This study focuses on the importance of the relationship between carbon and oil in the context of global climate change and energy transition. In particular, this paper explores the link between fluctuations in the price of Brent crude oil in the United Kingdom and changes in the European Union Emission Allowances (EUA), which has significant implications for insight into energy market dynamics and policy making. This study uses an autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze the dynamic relationship between the European Union Emission allowances (EUA) market and the oil market from 2018 to 2024. Through Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) stability test, the VAR model is established, the optimal lag order is determined, and the impulse response and Variance decomposition are analyzed. The results show that the EUA market has a short-term positive impact on the response of the oil market. But this effect has diminished over time, indicating the market's ability to self-regulate and stabilize. These findings provide new perspectives for understanding the interaction between global energy markets and environmental policy tools. The findings highlight the importance of considering these market dynamics when developing market strategies and environmental policies.

Manifesting the hidden pollutants: Quantifying emissions and environmental impact of petroleum refinery on PM2.5

This research thoroughly examined the emissions of primary fine particle and precursors of secondary particles (VOCs, SO2 and NOx) originating from the petroleum refinery operation. The central aim was to quantify the emission factors of fine particulate matter and analyze their spatial dispersion and source contributions, in order to evaluate their environmental impacts.The VOCs emission measurement appeared that the wastewater treatment plant unit was the most significant source of VOCs emissions, with pentane, cyclopentane, and propane being the dominant VOCs species released. The study employed the secondary organic aerosol potential (SOAP), sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR), and nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) methodologies to calculate the emissions of secondary PM2.5. The combustion stacks were the principal contributor to secondary PM2.5 emissions, with SO2 being the predominant secondary PM2.5 precursor species contributing to fine particulate matter, accounting for 82.5% of the total secondary PM2.5 emissions. The overall emission factor for the refinery was determined to be 0.31 g secondary PM2.5 per kg of refined crude oil. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that the combustion stacks were the primary contributors to PM2.5 concentrations at all receptor sites, accounting for 64.4%–80.8% of the total contribution, followed by the wastewater treatment unit and storage tanks. The study underscored the importance of focusing on secondary PM2.5 precursor emissions to effectively reduce emissions and environmental concentrations of PM2.5, highlighting the potential for more effective management and mitigation strategies targeting these precursors.

Forecasting oil futures markets using machine learning and seasonal trend decomposition

ABSTRACT Can machine learning improve prediction for seasonal commodity prices? We explore the effectiveness of a combined method that integrates seasonal trend decomposition using LOESS (STL) with machine learning (ML), referred to as STL-ML. We apply Extreme Gradient Boosting and Random Forest to forecast oil futures price dynamics over a sample period from 2004 to 2023. Our STL-ML results indicate no significant improvement for crude oil futures but enhanced accuracy for heating oil futures, highlighting STL’s benefit for datasets with strong seasonality. We demonstrate the potential for machine learning performance enhancement with STL, emphasising the variability of predictive model effectiveness due to data characteristics and providing insights for refining investment strategies based on seasonality and trends.

Exploring market-wide herding behavior in the major stock markets of Latin America

PurposeThis paper investigates market-wide herding behavior among investors in the stock markets of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico from January 2013 to December 2022.Design/methodology/approachWe analyze a survivor-bias-free dataset of daily stock returns, employing a measure reflecting the cross-sectional deviation of stock returns relative to market consensus.FindingsSignificant anti-herding is observed in Brazil and Mexico, while Chile and Colombia show results consistent with rational asset pricing models. The COVID-19 pandemic generally intensifies anti-herding trends. Additionally, significant asymmetries in herding/anti-herding effects are noted during different market trends and volatility levels. Furthermore, we identify the drivers of this phenomenon, revealing that extreme crude oil price movements are associated with more pronounced anti-herding, and herding/anti-herding effects appear synchronized across all four markets.Practical implicationsOur findings regarding synchronization in herding dynamics suggest challenges in realizing the desired benefits of international diversification in the region.Social implicationsThe significant cross-country effects indicate that herding dynamics may play a crucial role in precipitating regional financial crises.Originality/valueFor the first time, we examine various features of herding behavior in the sample markets, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological and economic drivers of the phenomenon and synchronization in herding dynamics among the four markets.

Evaluating the efficiency of oil waste treatment plant in AL- Qayyarah Refinery - Iraq

The study included an evaluation of the efficiency of AL-Qayyarah refinery oil waste treatment plant. For this purpose, monthly samples were collected for a period of six months from October 2023 until March 2024, the first station (before treatment) represents the water coming out of the crude oil filter units. As for the second station (after treatment) it is located in the refinery waste treatment unit, the site represents the treated water. many physical and chemical tests were conducted on water, they ranged of temperature values ​​before the treatment ranged between (17-33) compared to its value after the treatment (15-31), and the electrical conductivity values ​​before the treatment ranged between (295-405)µS/cm, while after the treatment it was (349-471)µS/cm. As for total dissolved solids, their average before the treatment was(182.5)mg/L, while their average after the treatment was(194.6)mg/L as for salinity, its values ​​ranged between(0.7-0.75) mg/L before the treatment and between (0.6 -0.8) mg/L after the treatment ,pH value before the treatment was between)6.12- 7.91( compared to its value after the treatment as it ranged between (6.81-7.95), while the values ​​of the chemical requirement for oxygen before the treatment were (85108)mg/L, Their concentrations values ​​after the treatment amounted to(73_125) mg/L, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (73.46-155.17) mg/L before the treatment, and after the treatment it reached (35.53-52.53) mg/L, while oils and greases reached values ​​that ranged between (26.16-165.68) mg/L before the treatment compared to their results after the treatment which ranged between (94.15-23.18)mg/L. Finally, the total organic carbon had an average value before treatment (134.1) mg/L, while after treatment their average values ​​reached (120.8) mg/L

Toxicity of crude oil: a systematic review of the acute impacts on Cnidaria

Cnidarians are ecosystem engineers that play a fundamental role in food webs. However, they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, such as oil spills, which can cause acute sublethal effects and in some cases, mortality. The literature on this theme is limited and fragmented, with diverse objectives and methodologies, making it challenging to identify consistent patterns and knowledge gaps. This article aims to provide a systematic review of the acute impacts of crude oil and petroleum hydrocarbons on members of the Phylum Cnidaria, to synthesize and integrate the available data. The research followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and employed the search terms: “crude oil” AND “acute” AND (Cnidaria OR coral), along with the names of each Cnidarian class. The search was restricted to articles published in English from 2013 to 2023, excluding studies that did not directly address the core topic. The number of records collected was relatively low, with only 30 articles identified from 20 studies. The highest number of publications occurred in 2022, and the USA was the most represented country. The Class Anthozoa, particularly corals (Order Scleractinia) was the most studied. Research focused on the effects of crude oil on gametes, embryos, larvae and adults, with most studies examining adult organisms. The majority (56.6%), utilized mixtures of crude oil hydrocarbons, while a smaller proportion (36.6%) focused on pure aromatic hydrocarbons. Most experiments employed Water Accommodated Fractions (36.6%) and continuous flow system (20%). The most common exposure durations (30%) were 96 and 48h, with exposure times ranging from 18h to several days. There was significant variation in methodological approaches, underscoring the need for standardized protocols. Research on adult cnidarians primarily assessed health and morphology, lethality, genetic alterations, and symbiont efficiency. In contrast, studies on early life stages focused on lethality, larval metamorphosis and settlement. Overall, the results indicate that responses vary considerably, particularly concerning exposure time and oil concentration, with sublethal effects at different levels. Further studies incorporating a broader range of species, novel approaches, and the combined effects of elevated temperature and UV radiation are crucial to advancing our understanding of oil impacts on cnidarians.

Flow Field Analysis within Industrial Quenching Tanks Operated with Aqueous Polymer Solutions in the Steel Industry

Abstract Quenching with polymer solutions for steel heat treatment offers adjustable performance and improved ecological impact compared to conventional water or oil quenching. The submersion cooling operation poses challenges due to the intense vapor/polymer film collapse on the component surface, potentially destabilizing batch components. Therefore, controlled recirculation is critical to preventing tank and specimen damage during cooling and ensuring effective steel hardening. However, flow structure analysis is often overlooked and disregarded in industrial tank design. Thus, this study evaluates the tank geometries of two partner industries to determine if they provide the necessary homogeneous flow for optimal quenching. The analysis combines experimental velocity measurements with a numerical model, with the identification of different flow intensity regions being the main outcome of this work. The results suggest that geometric modifications could improve flow recirculation, enhancing quenching performance.

Hydrophilic Chain Length for Octylphenol Polyoxyethylene Ether Adsorption at the n-Hexadecane-Water Interface: Theoretical and Experimental Study.

With the advancement of technologies for developing tight and shale reservoirs, nonionic surfactants have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable properties. The structure of these surfactants plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of the oil-water interface, particularly influencing emulsification behavior and crude oil recovery. This study investigates the effect of varying the number of hydrophilic polar groups (n = 10, 20, 30, 50) in octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-n) on its adsorption behavior at the n-hexadecane-water interface using molecular dynamics simulation. The impact of these variations on interfacial properties was further analyzed through measurements of interfacial tension and observations of emulsion droplet morphology. The study results indicate that variations in the number of hydrophilic polar groups significantly affect interfacial properties. Increasing the number of hydrophilic polar groups led to a notable increase in the thickness of the n-hexadecane or water phase, as well as the thickness of the water or oil layer and the surfactant layer. Moreover, when the number of hydrophilic polar groups reached 20, the OP-n molecules exhibited a more curled conformation at the interface, enhancing their ability to encapsulate water and resulting in a decrease in the diffusion coefficient of the molecules in each phase. Additionally, interfacial tension was found to be positively correlated with the number of hydrophilic polar groups and remained unchanged beyond a certain emulsion diameter. This study provides a theoretical basis and reference data for optimizing surfactant structures to improve crude oil recovery.