Americas
Gevo wins US patents for bio-isobutanol production
Advanced biofuels firm Gevo received two patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on technologies that enable the low-cost, high-yield production of bio-based isobutanol.
Sasol plans gas-to-liquids complex in Louisiana
South Africa-based energy and chemicals group Sasol will execute a feasibility study on a proposed gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility in southwest Louisiana. The project is slated to be the first plant in the US to produce GTL transportation fuels and other products, the company said.
Dow to use AspenTech engineering software on petrochemical projects
US software and services provider Aspen Technology (AspenTech) said that Dow Chemical is using its aspenOne engineering software to guide capital-cost decisions on large-scale petrochemicals projects.
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.
- 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
