Marathon Galveston Bay refinery coke quality improves

Market: Petroleum coke
22/05/23

Petroleum coke produced at Marathon Petroleum's Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City, Texas, has been trending lower in sulphur and shot content after completing a capacity expansion.

The coke's sulphur content eased to 3.07pc on 10 May, down from a reading of 4.72pc on 1 May, according to a recent quality analysis released by Marathon in a spot tender offer. Shot content decreased to 5pc on 10 May from 80pc on the first day of the month. Marathon expects the refinery's coke quality will continue to improve, although it cautioned that it offers no guarantees on specifications.

The Galveston Bay refinery historically produced 3pc sulphur anode-grade coke. But coke quality sank at the end of December on turnaround work at the refinery. Sulphur content rose to 5.65pc on a dry basis, while other specifications, including shot content, vanadium content, HGI and volatile matter, deteriorated as well.

The company completed its South Texas Asset Repositioning (STAR) project at the refinery in the first quarter, adding 40,000 b/d of additional refining capacity and 17,000 b/d of residual fuels upgrading capacity to the refinery's existing 593,000 b/d of crude processing capacity.

Marathon closed a tender on 17 May for 50,000t of June-loading Galveston Bay coke. Market participants expected this could close at around $90/t fob.

By Delaney Ramirez

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28/04/25

Cement sales at India’s Dalmia fall on year in Jan-Mar

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Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

24/04/25

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24/04/25

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

Houston, 24 April (Argus) — The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will delay the reopening of the Tennessee River's Wilson Lock by three weeks after high floodwater disrupted repair plans. The Wilson Lock is now planned to reopen in mid-June or July, the Corps said this week. The lock's main chamber has been closed since September after severe cracks were found in the structure. The Corps initiated evacuation procedures so personnel and equipment could be removed before any water entered the dewatered lock and ruined repairs after high water appeared too close to the lock's edge. The water did not crest above the temporary barrier the Corps installed to keep water out. Delays at the lock averaged around 10 days as of 24 April, according to the Corps. Barge carriers fees have been in place for each barge that must pass through the auxiliary chamber of the lock since 25 September, when the lock first closed. Restricted barge movement placed upward pressure on fertilizer prices in surrounding areas as well. The lock still requires structural repairs to the main chamber gates, including the replacement of the pintle components, the Corps said. This is the fourth opening delay the Corps have issued for the Wilson Lock, with the prior opening dates being in November , then April and then in June . The Wilson Lock will enter its eighth month of repairs next month. By Meghan Yoyotte and Sneha Kumar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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US Senate seeks coordinated cargo theft probes

14/04/25

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14/04/25

US Senate seeks coordinated cargo theft probes

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Funding cuts could delay US river lock work: Correction

14/04/25

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14/04/25

Funding cuts could delay US river lock work: Correction

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Flooding on US rivers mires barge transit

07/04/25

News

07/04/25

Flooding on US rivers mires barge transit

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