Americas
Sasol names engineering, technology providers for new ethane cracker
The upcoming project in Westlake, Louisiana, should start up in 2017, with expected production of 1.5 million tpy of ethylene along with several downstream derivative plants.
Linde, Sapphire Energy to develop algae-to-crude process technology
Together, the companies will refine the hydrothermal treatment process developed and operated today by Sapphire Energy at pilot scale. In addition, they will jointly license and market the technology into an expanded list of industries, including algae, municipal solid waste and farm waste.
Refinery watch: Planned and unplanned US outages (1)
BP-Husky started planned work at the smaller of two coker units at its Toledo Refinery, located in Oregon, Ohio, on July 8. It wasn't immediately known how long it will take to overhaul the 7,500-bpd unit. Valero Energy Corp. on July 9 reported another upset at FCCU 1241 at its Port Arthur refinery.
Valero to build major methanol plant adjacent to Louisiana refinery
Construction at Valero's refinery in St. Charles, La., is initially scheduled to end by the 2016 first quarter and will expand the plant to make 1.6 million tpy of methanol. Production would start soon after.
Peru eases environmental standards after refiners express concerns
The Environment Ministry issued a resolution this weekend that exempts the cities of Ilo, La Oroya and Arequipa from tougher environmental standards aimed at lowering levels of sulfur-dioxide emissions.
US bill seeks to remove DOE from LNG permits
US Representative Ted Poe has introduced bill HR 2471, which, if passed, will remove the US Department of Energy from the approval process for new LNG terminals.
US House subcommittee to closely scrutinize law on toxic substances
"I believe evaluating TSCA sections 5 (new chemicals) and 14 (disclosure of data) is fundamental to judging progress in new technologies and manufacturing frontiers in our country," said Subcommittee vice chairman Phil Gingrey in a recent hearing on the matter.
Shell spends $115mn to cut pollution at Texas refinery, chemical plant
At its Deer Park refinery, Shell will spend $115 million to control harmful air pollution from industrial flares and other processes. The company is also paying a $2.6 million civil penalty.
US Energy Department examines climate's impact on infrastructure
The US Department of Energy released a report that assesses how critical energy and electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to the impacts of recent climate trends.
Exxon Arkansas pipeline rupture blamed on defect
An independent report found that a rupture in an ExxonMobil pipeline that spilled thousands of barrels of oil in Arkansas earlier this year was caused by defects dating back to when the pipe was built in the 1940s.
- Digital Feature (sponsored): Three questions oil and gas companies should ask to improve their operations risk management 3/6
- Nextchem awarded engineering/technology services contract from SATORP (Saudi Arabia) 3/6
- PBF Energy's Martinez refinery (California, U.S.) repairs to cost $30 million 3/6
- Lummus Technology, Resynergi announce commercialization of microwave-powered plastic pyrolysis technology 3/6
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas to use sustainable carbon fiber composites in Formula 1 racecars 3/6
- Vopak to build ethane tanks to support Thailand's petrochemical production 3/6
