Americas
Chevron Phillips Chemical to expand Texas NGL fractionation unit
Capacity at the Sweeny plant will be raised by about 22,000 bpd, or 19% above current levels, driven by rapid shale development in the Eagle Ford and Permian basins.
Energy Transfer completes Southern Union merger
US natural gas pipeline firms Energy Transfer (ETE) and Southern Union have successfully completed the previously-announced merger of Southern Union with and into Sigma Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETE. The $7.9bn deal was first announced in June 2011.
Air Products acquires Xebec adsorption technology
Air Products has acquired advanced adsorption technology assets for its generated gases product lines from Xebec Adsorption. Air Products said it purchased the technology, intellectual property and know-how related to structured adsorbents, beaded adsorbents, and rotary valves.
Obama calls for expediting southern portion of Keystone XL pipeline
With the pipeline, TransCanada would bring oil from Cushing, Oklahoma, to US Gulf refineries, helping ease a supply glut.
US oil demand down in February as consumers switch to natural gas - API
Total US petroleum deliveries fell 2.3% this February compared with February 2011, pulled down by a decline in residual fuel oil (40.2%) and other oil (liquid petrochemical feedstocks, naphtha and gasoil) deliveries. The steep decline in residual fuel demand related to users switching to natural gas.
US chemical production rising in all regions - ACC
The US chemical production regional index (CPRI) rose by 0.5% in February, following a revised 0.5% gain in January, according to new ACC figures. Gains occurred in industrial gases, inorganic chemicals, plastic resins, synthetic rubber, pesticides, adhesives, coatings, specialties, and consumer products.
Alfa Laval to supply plate heat exchangers for Brazil oil company
Sweden-based Alfa Laval has won a plate heat exchanger order from a major oil company in Brazil. The Alfa Laval plate heat exchangers will be installed at offshore production platforms where they will be used for heat recovery in the main separation process, the company said.
Global refining catalyst market driven by growth in hydroprocessing
The market improvement is led by demand for cleaner fuels, increasing use of heavier and dirtier feedstocks and additions to refining capacity, a new study says.
Siemens wins $30mn deal from Ecopetrol for water treatment at Colombia refinery
The industry automation division at Siemens will equip the Reficar refinery in Cartagena, Colombia, with an integrated water treatment solution. It is part of a project to expand and modernize the refinery, which is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2013.
Refining deals up sharply in 2011 amid shedding of global assets
Refiners realigned their corporate strategies in 2011, with many shedding refining assets and others choosing to exit the sector altogether, according to a new report.
- Digital Exclusive: Root cause analysis on hydrochloric acid corrosion in a diesel hydrotreater unit 12/16
- Digital Feature: Enabling growth through strategic cost optimization for petrochemical and refining companies 12/16
- Rohm awards NextChem feasibility study for PMMA-polymer chemical recycling plant project 12/16
- Westlake to rationalize certain North American chlorovinyl and styrene assets 12/16
- CMB.TECH invests in Chinese ammonia supply 12/16
- Petrovietnam, BASF cooperate in developing green methanol, pioneering the energy transition 12/16

