The war in the Gulf has triggered one of the biggest disruptions to global crude supply in decades. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s daily crude traffic, has severely reduced exports of Middle Eastern crude. Refineries worldwide are scrambling to secure feedstock, and refinery capacities are being reduced until the disruption ends.
Most refineries are configured around specific crude qualities, and inventories typically cover only a few weeks of operations. As regular Gulf supplies fail to arrive, many refiners are drawing down stocks, reducing throughput, or switching to alternative grades sourced from the Atlantic Basin, Southeast Asia, or the United States. These substitute crudes often differ significantly in sulfur content, metals, acidity, and density — parameters that directly affect unit corrosion risk, catalyst performance, and product quality.
As a result, crude switching has become an operational and analytical challenge. Refiners need faster, more reliable insight into the composition of incoming feedstock to manage blending decisions, protect assets, and maintain stable operations. In this environment, real‑time elemental analysis has become increasingly important. Online crude oil analyzers allow refiners to continuously monitor chlorine as new feeds are introduced, reducing uncertainty when running variable crude feedstocks.
XOS’s Clora Online instrument in C1D2 and ATEX configurations can determine continuous analysis of total chlorine from 0.2 ppmw up to 3000 ppmw. The instrument can also be configured for aqueous streams such as process water coming from the desalter, which can determine the performance and check whether the dosing chemicals are sufficient for the amount of Cl in the crude.
The International Energy Agency warns that as long as Gulf disruptions persist, refinery operations outside the region will be constrained by feedstock availability. In that environment, the ability to rapidly qualify and manage alternative crudes is becoming not just a competitive advantage, but a prerequisite for keeping refineries running safely and efficiently.
Continuous, Real-Time Chlorine Analysis for Corrosion Control
Clora Online delivers reliable, continuous chlorine analysis using MWDXRF technology in compliance with ASTM D7536. By monitoring desalted crude in real time, your plant can prevent corrosive hydrochloric acid formation, protect critical equipment, and optimize performance, reducing downtime and safeguarding refinery assets.