Americas
Amor signs process control pact with Aera Energy
Aera Energy, a California-based oil and gas producer, has selected Amor Group to review and enhance the security of its various process control systems. Under the deal, Amor will provide an in-depth review of Aera’s security policy and procedures through its ProcessSecurity+ offering.
Braskem-Idesa picks GE compressor technology in Mexico ethylene, PE venture
The Veracruz ethylene and polyethylene (PE) complex in Mexico, a joint venture between Brazil’s Braskem and Mexico’s Grupo Idesa, will use hyper compressor and booster compressor technologies from GE. The GE technologies will be key elements of the low-density polyethylene (LPDE) plant.
US oil demand falls in March, gasoline use up - API
Total petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) slipped 1.3% in March compared with March 2011, but gasoline deliveries were up 3%, according to monthly data from the API. US gasoline production of 9.3 million bpd set a record for any March and for any comparable year-to-date period.
EPA settles US biofuel violations with 30 companies
Thirty companies have agreed to pay what the EPA described as "modest" civil penalties for using fraudulent credits to meet a federal biofuel mandate. The settlement resolves violations of the Renewable Fuels Standard for companies such as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.
Dow to build world-scale ethylene plant by 2017 at Freeport complex
The new Texas cracker is part of a plan to further connect US operations with low-cost feedstocks available from increasing US shale gas supply, says CEO Andrew Liveris.
Praxair lands gas supply deal for Mexico steel plant
Praxair has signed a new contract with Deacero, a leading Mexican steel company, to supply oxygen, argon and nitrogen to a new plant being built in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, a major industrial region in north Mexico. The facilities are expected to start up in the first quarter of 2014.
HB Fuller to close six adhesives sites in US, Canada
HB Fuller will close six manufacturing facilities and eliminate approximately 130 positions across its North America adhesives business segment as part of its integration of the recently-acquired industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group. The closures will occur by mid-2013, the company says.
Ford looks to expand natural gas powered autos, may clash with US chems
The head of Ford says the auto industry is focused on expanding the use of engines powered by compressed natural gas, creating a potential clash with the US chemical sector. Any major use of compressed natural gas in passenger cars could wipe out the cost advantage enjoyed by US chemical firms.
UOP, Ensyn venture wins sustainable biofuel award for conversion technology
Envergent Technologies, a joint venture of UOP and Ensyn, has been given an award in the category of sustainable biofuels for its contributions toward sustainable biopower generation facilities. Envergent’s RTP technology is currently in use in seven commercial biomass processing plants in the US and Canada.
Eastman Chemical finishes Texas 2-EH expansion
Eastman Chemical completed a previously-announced capacity expansion of its 2-ethyl hexanol (2-EH) facility in Longview, Texas. An oxo derivative, 2-EH is used in end products such as plasticizers, like Eastman 168 non-phthalate plasticizer, 2 ethylhexyl acrylate, and additives for fuels and lube oils, the company noted.
- 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
