Americas
US monthly chemicals output nudges higher – ACC
Chemical production rose in all regions except the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and West Coast, which declined. Within the manufacturing sector, output in several key chemistry end-use markets increased, the ACC noted, including appliances, aerospace and structural panels.
Oil industry seeks repeal of US ethanol standard
A fight is brewing over a federal law requiring ethanol in gasoline, and the battle intensified Tuesday when the API said it will request that Congress repeal the statute. The law requires refiners to blend billions of gallons of ethanol into gasoline, with the goal of using 36 billion gallons by 2022.
Petrobras enlists Citigroup to sell Houston refinery
Petrobras has enlisted Citigroup to shop its 100,000 bpd Houston-area refinery, sources said, as the Brazilian state-run oil company continues to shed assets to help fund offshore drilling back home. A sale of the 100,000-barrel-a-day refinery will likely result in a loss for the company.
Enbridge forms US venture to ship Bakken crudes
The Enbridge joint venture with Canopy will be the largest unit-train facility able to receive crudes from North Dakota, where production is booming, directly into Philadelphia-area refineries. By early next year, its Bakken expansion program will add 200,000 bpd of export pipeline capacity.
North American sales of natural gas vehicles seen lagging through 2019
While many markets in Europe and Latin America continue to struggle with expanding refueling infrastructure quickly enough to meet the needs of both consumers and fleets, the adoption of NGVs is still growing rapidly. North America, however, continues to lag.
AFPM files petition for 2013 biodiesel volumes
The rule increased the volume of biomass-based diesel from 1 billion to 1.28 billion gallons.
November US chemical activity barometer slides half a percent
The November CAB showed a sharp, 0.5% drop over the previous month. The abrupt decline follows four consecutive monthly gains.
LNG mobile fueling unit successfully demonstrated
The Linde mobile fueler allows customers to test the feasibility of using LNG as an alternative to fuels such as diesel.
Operational improvements proposed at Pine Bend refinery
The projects are expected to improve reliability, reduce key emissions and improve the refinery's ability to convert crude oil into transportation fuels.
Shell sees inflation, politics capping LNG exports
Inflation and US domestic politics are likely to limit the amount of LNG exported from proposed projects in North America to around 60 MMtpy to 70 MMtpy over the next decade, Royal Dutch Shell's chief financial officer, Simon Henry, said.
- 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
