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Americas

Technip buys subsea service firm Global Industries

France-based engineering firm Technip announced a $937 million deal to acquire US-based Global Industries, reinforcing its leadership in the subsea segment of oil services.

Enbridge to twin its Canada oil sands pipeline

Enbridge will twin the southern section of its Athabasca Pipeline from Kirby Lake, Alberta, to the crude oil hub in Hardisty, Alberta, at an estimated cost of approximately $1.2 billion. The twin line will initially add approximately 450,000 bpd of capacity between these points, with low-cost expansion potential to 800,000 bpd, the company said.

Gulf oil production returns to near normal after Lee

Offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico are re-boarding platforms and rigs and restoring production following Tropical Storm Lee, with production in the region returning to near normal after being more than 60% shut earlier in the week. However, another storm may loom in the near future.

US refiners note security upgrades as 9/11 nears

American fuel and petrochemical manufacturers have made major improvements in security to protect their facilities against possible terrorist attacks since Sept. 11, 2001, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) president Charles T. Drevna said on Friday.

NPRA blasts Obama on jobs, seeks less regulation

The US-based National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) sharply criticized Thursday’s speech from President Barack Obama on creating jobs in the US, asking for relief from “unwarranted regulatory burdens”.

Momentive expands R&D technical center in Texas

Momentive Specialty Chemicals hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week for its expanded technical center in Stafford, Texas, that will house a new technology group focused on product innovations.

Eastman to expand global capacity for plasticizers

Eastman Chemical announced a second expansion of its Benzoflex plasticizer line at the Kohtla-Järve site in Estonia. The expansion will increase capacity at the site by an additional 11,000 metric tons and is expected to be completed by the end of the 2012 second quarter.

Gevo, Mansfield Oil align on isobutanol fuel project

US-based advanced biofuels firm Gevo has entered into a strategic marketing alliance with Mansfield Oil to distribute isobutanol-based fuel into the petroleum market.

Cameron inks services pact for offshore oil work of Brazil's Petrobras

Cameron has renewed an agreement with Petrobras for the supply of aftermarket services and support for their developments in offshore Brazil.

Air Products to supply gases for INEOS Bio plant

Air Products has been awarded a contract to supply onsite oxygen, compressed dry air, and nitrogen to INEOS Bio's joint venture project for a waste-to-ethanol facility in Vero Beach, Florida.