This report focuses on the approaches used by developers of Crude Oil to Chemicals (COTC) complexes currently being built, which is primarily through reconfiguration of existing bottom of the barrel and VGO conversion technologies to obtain petrochemical yields between 40 and 50 percent.  The report discusses the different technology options, provides case studies for how they are implemented in projects operational or under construction, and contrasts the return on capital employed for COTC complexes versus “conventional” integrated refinery/petrochemical complexes.  Lastly, the report discusses the impact of COTC projects on the refining and petrochemical markets.

This techno-economic report reviews the chemistry, properties, technology, and development trends of urea.  The report provides urea economics for several different global locations (USGC, China, and India) under a consistent third quarter 2019 price scenario. Regional market analysis for urea is also included.

Energy storage is growing in importance, and falling in cost, as solar PV, wind, and other renewables become a greater part of generation, and the grid becomes more sophisticated; batteries are a key type of solution, and flow batteries offer many advantages for large-scale and behind the meter storage. This report examines the global market trends, scenarios and opportunities for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the next 5-10 years, as well as the current and projected technoeconomics of flow batteries in terms of levelized cost of storage and total investment cost.

The chemistry, process technology, and production economics for linear alpha olefins are assessed.  Comparative economics are presented for full-range technologies (Chevron Phillips, INEOS, Shell, SABIC/Linde, Axens, Idemitsu) and on-purpose production of butene-1 (Axens, Zeon), hexene-1 (Chevron Phillips, Axens, Sasol), and octene-1 (Dow, Sasol).  A regional market overview is also included.