Americas
Western Refining settles N.M. emissions violations
The settlement stems from excess sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants emitted by Western's refinery in Gallup, New Mexico, between July 2009 and March 2012. Western also agreed to upgrade equipment at the 20,800 bpd refinery to lower emission levels.
Global refined oil product demand to lag supply over next two years - IEA
More than 1 million bpd of new refining capacity is likely to come online this year, and a further 1.3 million bpd in 2013, compared with 400,000 bpd in 2011. The additions to capacity will grossly outpace demand growth for oil products, which the IEA estimates will average 800,000 bpd this year.
BP to pay $13mn to settle most Texas City refinery safety violations
The settlement comes after BP resolved all but 30 of the violations the government cited, many stemming from OSHA's contention that BP did not provide enough safety system instructions to workers. OSHA said the additional violations will be settled or sent to litigation by the end of the year.
Shell picks Jacobs for engineering on Canada mine
The Jackpine Mine is one of two mines at Shell's Albian Sands site near Fort McMurray, Alberta. Officials did not disclose the contract value. Jacobs will deliver a portfolio of projects involving conceptual engineering of new technologies to consolidate tailings and meet environmental requirements.
IHI buys Kvaerner US downstream engineering unit
The EPC Center Houston is an engineering and construction business focused on the delivery of LNG terminals and oil and gas processing facilities in North America. Since 2004, the center and Japan's IHI have cooperated as joint venture partners on several projects, thus enabling a smooth transition.
EPA to make 'necessary' US biofuel credit changes
The comments from EPA officials, made in prepared testimony for a House hearing, were the agency's first public commitment to make changes to the program. Oil refiners, which are required to buy the credits, have faced millions in fines and added costs as a result of buying phony credits.
Chevron sees improving US refining margins in Q2, but weaker international
US-based Chevron expects significantly stronger downstream earnings in the 2012 second quarter, buoyed by improved refining margins in the US and gains on asset sales. However, international refining margins declined over the same period, the company said.
BP targets wind, biofuels within alternative energy
Katrina Landis, CEO of BP's alternative energy business, said at a gathering of the Atlantic Council in Washington that the company is ahead of schedule in its investment plans. BP projects biofuels will make up 30% of the gasoline pool by 2030 and sees cellulosic ethanol as the energy to watch.
Gevo, Beta agree to develop integrated process for cellulosic isobutanol
The deal also anticipates commercialization of the technology upon project success, which could enable renewably-sourced, competitively-priced jet fuel as well as other chemicals and fuels made from isobutanol.
India's GAIL to import 2 million tpy of LNG from US
The deal could be worth $12 billion, the newspaper said. Senior GAIL executives and Indian oil ministry officials were in the US last week to put the finishing touches on the agreement, according to the report.
- NAPCOR releases 2024 PET recycling report highlighting system efficiency gains and continued strength of PET circularity 12/12
- OQ courts other partners for petrochemical complex in Oman as SABIC drops out 12/12
- Brazil's BNDES approves $71 MM for carbon storage project 12/12
- Cuba on edge as U.S. seizure of oil tanker puts supply at risk 12/12
- China oil demand to plateau between 2025 and 2030 12/12
- Germany's PCK refinery says no impact from pipeline leak 12/12

