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    Sulphur 388 May-Jun 2020

    31 May 2020

    Sulphur recovery projects 2020

    PROCESS PLANT SURVEY

    Sulphur recovery projects 2020

    Sulphur’s annual survey of recent, current and future sulphur recovery unit construction projects maps the developing shape of brimstone production from fuel and gas processing plants worldwide.

    The Fadhili gas plant.
    PHOTO: SAUDI ARAMCO

    KEY

    AGRU = Acid gas removal unit

    BTX = BTX destruction

    Fuel = Fuel gas supplemental burning

    H2= Hydrogenation

    O2 = Oxygen enrichment

    NH3= Ammonia destruction

    SRU = Sulphur recovery unit

    SWS = Sour water strip

    TGT = Tail gas treatment unit

    n.a = Information not available 2

    Note: From April 2019, ComprimoParsons acquired Comprimo’ Energy, Chemicals and Resources line of business. Since then all sulphur technologies from both ComprimoParsons Sulphur Group and Comprimo Comprimo Sulfur Solutions are marketed as Comprimo.

    Latest in Outlook & Reviews

    Uncharted waters

    The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran broke down at the start of July, just three weeks after the signing of the June memorandum of understanding, after Iran fired at several vessels who had failed to notify them of their transit of the Strait of Hormuz, and the US retaliated with a missile barrage. While the two month negotiation period it had specified to solve all of the outstanding issues between the two parties had always seemed over-ambitious, market participants had at least expected to have that grace period to arrange for new cargoes and tranship them through the Strait. Now that the ceasefire has ended early, markets are truly entering uncharted waters.

    Price Trends

    The global sulphur market has entered a holding pattern, as a wave of bearish sentiment has so far failed to move stubbornly high spot prices. The departure of a significant volume of product from the Middle East has emboldened buyers and shifted market sentiment firmly towards bearish, but at time of writing this has so far failed to translate into lower prices. With sellers in no hurry to lower prices and spot availability still tight, the market has stalled as both sides wait for the other to blink first.