Americas
Enterprise inks marine transport deal with Exxon for US refined products
Under the terms of the agreement, which took effect January 1, 2013, Enterprise is committing five tugs and 10 barges for the transportation of refined products and other hydrocarbon products along the US inland waterway system. Financial terms were not disclosed by the companies.
US issues new emission rules on diesel generators
The new rules will cut costs for diesel-generator users by $139 million a year, while reducing hazardous air pollutants, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollution, the EPA said. Diesel generators emit pollution that can cause cancer and can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases.
Flint Hills reports seal pump fire at Corpus refinery
The shut down process caused a flaring event at the 70,000-bpd East Plant, which was reported to local emergency planners. There were no injuries associated with the event, nor was there a call for the community to take action. The seal pump fire was extinguished quickly, the company said.
Pacific Ethanol eyes yield-enhancing ethanol technology at US plant
Pacific Ethanol Inc. will implement yield-enhancing technology at its Stockton, California ethanol plant. The company has awarded Edeniq, a biomaterials and sustainable fuels developer, with a contract for Edeniq's Cellunators technology to boost ethanol yields by increasing available starch for conversion.
Forecast: 1 million new NG-fueled vehicles to hit global roads by 2019
Pike Research recently issued a forecast calling for the sale of nearly 1 million new natural gas-fueled trucks and buses on roads worldwide between 2012 and 2019.
Delek buys North Texas biodiesel plant from EQM
The biodiesel facility has a production capacity of 12 million gal/year. Delek said it intends to spend approximately $3.0 million in capital expenditures during 2013 to improve the feedstock flexibility. At present, the facility produces biodiesel exclusively for Delek under a tolling agreement.
Westlake launches ethylene expansion project at Lake Charles complex
This expansion will be completed in conjunction with a planned maintenance turnaround and will increase ethane-based ethylene capacity by approximately 230-240 million lbs/year in support of the company's ethylene integration strategy, according to Westlake company officials.
US shale boom to spur manufacturing growth, but not energy independence
The US currently imports approximately half its daily consumption of 19 million bpd of oil and remains both the largest importer and consumer of oil. Conservation and the shale revolution would not eliminate upward pressure on prices from rising emerging market demand.
Methanex to temporarily shut down Chile plant amid poor gas supply
Methanex is currently operating one plant in Chile at low operating rates. In 2013, planned output from this plant represents less than 5% of the company's total production, CEO John Floren said.
Chevron sees weaker US, global refining margins
During the first two months of the fourth quarter, US refinery crude-input volumes decreased by 77,000 bpd compared to the third quarter, driven primarily by the continued shutdown of the Richmond, California refinery crude unit. International refinery crude-input volumes increased 9,000 bpd.
- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4
- Brookfield Infrastructure announces the acquisition of Colonial Enterprises for $9 B 4/4
- PBF restarts some units at Martinez refinery after February fire; fire-damaged units remain shut 4/4
- Japan to curb gasoline prices from June to cushion U.S. tariff blow 4/4
- Evonik presents innovative "Debonding on Demand" concept for more sustainable bonding 4/3
- Oil, gas and refined product imports exempted from Trump’s sweeping tariffs 4/3
