March 19 COVID-19 Impact Report

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Industrial Info's daily CV Impact Report gives you the latest COVID-19-related supply and production data relevant to the Energy Industry.

Petroleum Refining
The industry is beginning to see refining reductions amid falling demand and turnaround postponements due to COVID-19 concerns. Spain's Cepsa is processing at 85% of refining capacity, while in Canada, Consumer Co-Operative Refineries Limited will postpone a 40-day planned maintenance turnaround at its 130,000-BBL/d refinery in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Valero has suspended a 55-day major turnaround at its 265,000-BBL/d Jean Gaulin Refinery in Quebec.



Power
In a few cases, non-essential outages are being pushed out. Southern California Edison is delaying all non-critical outages in Orange County, California. Nuclear plant outages, such as that planned for the Davis-Besse facility in Ohio, seem to be moving forward as scheduled. COVID-19 will have an impact on new solar projects that plan to use photovoltaic panels from China and South Korea. Also, Ormat Nevada has canceled all work at its geothermal facilities.



Petrochemical
North American olefin producers have begun to limit plant personnel to essential employees only, although no derate or unplanned turnaround has been confirmed as of today. At least one ethylene unit planned to begin a turnaround by the end of the month is under review and it could be delayed or postponed.

Chinese ethylene producers plan to restart more than 4.4 billion pounds per year of ethylene capacity within the next three weeks as derates and units idled as a result of COVID-19 return to service.



Alternative Fuels
As of Wednesday, Industrial Info had not confirmed any ethanol plants that had suspended operations as a result of the current financial crisis or pandemic. Ethanol prices have fallen to near historic lows, which is expected to affect planned maintenance schedules in the coming months.

LNG
So far, the U.S. LNG sector has not been directly affected. Production rates continue, although prices have fallen, and there doesn't seem to be a hurdle for LNG trains already operating. Cheniere Energy has said that its measures to reduce the spread of the virus have not affected production rates at this time. Industrywide, the majority of producers are expected to defer maintenance events until autumn.

However, Shell's joint venture, LNG Canada, has slowed site work at its Kitimat LNG project site due to the coronavirus.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com.