Americas
Petrobras targets domestic market for refining unit
Costs associated with transporting oil products to hubs in Europe, the US and Asia make it less practical than using production domestically in Brazil, an executive said.
Shell awards Jacobs mechanical maintenance deal for Canada operations
Jacobs Engineering Group said it received a five-year contract from Shell to provide main mechanical maintenance services to its Canadian operations. Under the terms of the deal, Jacobs is performing mechanical maintenance, including small capital project construction and turnaround activities.
UK investor warns shale gas industry on emissions
One of Europe's largest institutional investors warned the shale gas industry to do more to prevent the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane during drilling, which is undermining its basis as a cleaner alternative to coal. Comments were directed primarily at drilling operations in the US.
BP to pay $400mn for pollution controls in Whiting refinery settlement with US
BP has agreed to pay an $8 million penalty and invest more than $400 million to install pollution controls and cut emissions from its petroleum refinery in Whiting, Indiana, according to the US EPA. The Whiting refinery has an operating capacity of 405,000 bpd, making it the 6th-largest in the US.
US chemical production continues monthly decline
The US Chemical Production Regional Index (CPRI) slipped by 0.3% in April following a downwardly-revised 0.4% decline in March. Output slipped in several key segments including pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, plastic resins and synthetic rubber. Production fell across all US regions
Technip to buy Shaw energy, chemicals business
Shaw is selling the segment to Technip for $300 million in cash, adding that further collaborations between the two companies are possible for Shaw’s core business units. The companies further agreed to work toward developing future business relationships involving Shaw’s core business units.
Shell remains committed to natural gas plan - CEO
Royal Dutch Shell believes rising natural gas demand will underpin its future profits, even though oil pricing still accounts for 80% of its margins, its CEO Peter Voser said on Tuesday. Despite a recent drop in US gas prices, the long-term pricing outlook for natural gas remains strong, he noted.
Willbros wins construction work in Louisiana for Praxair hydrogen pipeline
Willbros Group was awarded a contract by Praxair to construct 52 miles of 12-inch pipeline in Louisiana. Construction on the project is underway and is scheduled to be completed in September.
Georgia Gulf, Segetis to collaborate on bio-based polyvinyl chloride in US
Georgia Gulf has agreed to collaborate with Segetis to offer a new flexible vinyl compound based on Javelin technology bio-plasticizers from Segetis. This is the second collaboration to develop bio-based flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds announced in 2012 by Georgia Gulf, the company noted.
Cytec aims to sell coating resins business this year
Cytec Industries has begun a formal sale process for its coating resins business, the US-based specialty materials company said on Monday. Cytec does not intend to give further updates on the sale process until a transaction is announced, which is estimated to occur later in 2012.
- Indonesia expects EU to adjust palm oil biofuel stance after EU ruling 1/17
- First-ever ammonia and propane co-loaded vessel completes voyage from U.S. to Europe 1/17
- China's vast refining sector faces shakeout as fuel demand peaks 1/17
- Oman Oil Marketing Co. and TFG Marine establish bunker fuel supply JV 1/17
- Beware Egypt's smokestack onshoring as cement exports surge 1/17
- Petrobras reports record high refinery output in 2024 1/17
