Americas
Valero targets more North American crude supply for Quebec refinery
Valero plans to invest between $106 million and $192 million to overhaul its handling capacity at the Quebec refinery, including increased tankage and new crude carrying ships, in order to increase access to North American crude. That will provide it with a competitive advantage.
Total mulls new ethane steam cracker in Texas
Total says it is considering a project to build a new ethane steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas, to capitalize on cheap, shale-derived feedstocks from North America.
US energy chief urges caution on gas exports
The new US energy secretary could delay further approvals for US companies seeking to export LNG, saying he wants to review whether studies of the issue are adequate. Some 19 export facilities have pending applications with the department, taking advantage of rising domestic production.
Petronas, Japex pick engineering contractors for Canada LNG export project
The contractors are Bechtel, a joint venture comprised of KBR and JGC Corp., and the Technip/Samsung Engineering/China Huanqiu joint venture. The awards represent an important step towards Pacific NorthWest LNG designing and constructing a world-class LNG export facility in British Columbia.
US LNG exports pave way to Asian spot market
Japanese liquefied natural gas buyers see US government approval on export projects to non-FTA countries as a step forward in the creation of an LNG spot market in Asia.
US judge dismisses obstruction charge against BP executive over Gulf spill
The blow-out took place in April 2010, resulting in 11 deaths and in the worst offshore oil spill in US history. The executive had said the estimated flow was about 5,000 bpd, but internal BP documents from the time showed the company believed the rate was likely much higher.
WEC unveils new South Texas refinery project
The Whitetail refinery site was chosen to take advantage of production from the nearby Eagle Ford Shale play, according to WEC officials. This is the first of several planned operations by WEC in the region.
Canadian Prime Minister Harper takes Keystone XL lobbying campaign to US
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper took his case for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline to the United States, burnishing Canada's environmental credentials and saying the arguments for the project are "overwhelmingly on the side of approval."
US approves Freeport LNG export application
Subject to an environmental review and final regulatory approval, the Texas facility is authorized to export to non-FTA countries at a rate of up to 1.4 Bcfd for the next 20 years.
Brazil environment leaders join Petrobras to appeal refinery work stoppage
Petrobras was informed that a federal judge suspended environmental licenses granted by INEA for the refinery under construction in Rio de Janeiro state. The judge ruled that IBAMA had jurisdiction over licensing the project, forcing a halt in construction until IBAMA issued new licenses.
- Shell, CNOOC take FID on 1.6-MMtpy petrochemical complex expansion in China 1/15
- Plug Power seals huge deal with Allied Green Ammonia for 3-GW electrolyzer system 1/15
- Russian oil products trapped at sea by U.S. sanctions 1/15
- California (U.S.) withdraws clean truck EPA waiver request ahead of Trump inauguration 1/15
- Amazon orders 200 new electric heavy trucks from Daimler for Germany, UK 1/15
- Colonial Pipeline shuts main gasoline artery after potential gasoline spill 1/15
