The Bank of Russia unexpectedly maintained its key interest rate at a record-high 21% , defying analysts’ expectations of another significant hike as inflation remains stubbornly elevated. The decision marks a shift toward a more measured approach in balancing economic growth and price stability. Key Details Inflation Concerns: Annual inflation climbed to 8.9% in November, well above the central bank’s 4% target , with inflation expectations reaching 13.9% in December. Policy Rationale: The central bank cited the significant tightening of monetary conditions after October’s 200-basis point hike as sufficient to resume disinflationary processes. Governor Elvira Nabiullina emphasized avoiding both economic overheating and severe slowdowns. Economic Overheating: Elevated government spending on the war in Ukraine and social programs, coupled with labor shortages and rising wages, have fueled strong domestic demand, exacerbating price pressures...
PetroChina is preparing to shut down its largest refinery in north China, located in Dalian, around mid-2025, marking the first major closure of a state-run oil facility. This move is part of a long-standing plan to replace it with a smaller refinery at a new site, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The 410,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dalian Petrochemical plant, which represents 3% of China’s total refinery output, will be shut down as Chinese refiners grapple with overcapacity and weakened fuel demand due to slowing economic growth and the rise of electric vehicles.
PetroChina has already closed 210,000 bpd—about half of the plant’s capacity—at its Dalian subsidiary, according to the sources, though PetroChina has not yet publicly commented on the matter.
The closure is part of a relocation plan following a series of safety incidents, including a major oil spill in 2010, an explosion in 2013, and a fire in 2017. Under an agreement with Dalian authorities, CNPC, PetroChina’s parent company, has proposed building a new 70 billion yuan (US$9.84 billion) refinery and chemical complex on Changxing Island, approximately two hours from downtown Dalian.
This new facility would include a 200,000 bpd refinery—half the capacity of the current plant—and a 1.2 million tonne-per-year ethylene complex. However, the project remains in its pre-feasibility stage, with no final investment decision made by PetroChina.
Earlier this month, PetroChina also shut down a 90,000 bpd crude distillation unit (CDU) at the Dalian refinery indefinitely, following the closure of a 120
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