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Americas

API chief executive urges US to expedite offshore permitting programs

American Petroleum Institute (API) CEO Jack Gerard said on Friday that speeding up offshore permitting programs in US waters could allow President Barack Obama to reverse disappointing employment numbers while generating additional revenue to help with the debt crisis.

Martin Midstream to build Corpus Christi terminal, will take crude from Eagle Ford shale

Martin Midstream will build a new terminal at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas to receive crude oil from the Eagle Ford shale via the recently announced Harvest Gardendale pipeline, company officials said.

Sherwin-Williams acquires UK fire protection coatings firm Leighs Paints

UK-based industrial fire protection coatings company Leighs Paints has been acquired by US-based paints major Sherwin-Williams. The acquisition significantly enhances the product portfolio of the company’s protective and marine business, the company said.

Foster Wheeler wins YBF project for delayed coker heater in Argentina

Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract by YPF S.A. for the delayed coker heater at the new delayed coking unit at YPF’s Complejo Industrial La Plata in Argentina. Foster Wheeler’s scope of work includes engineering, equipment supply and supervision to construction and start-up, it said.

US Senators agree to end ethanol subsidy, tariff

Three US senators struck a deal on Thursday to repeal the $6 billion/year ethanol tax credit by the end of July, according to California Democrat Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein crafted the deal with ethanol advocates Amy Klobuchar (Democrat-Minnesota) and John Thune (Republican-South Dakota).

ACC picks BASF for top political leadership award

BASF was presented with the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) top award for political leadership, recognizing the company’s efforts to mobilize grassroots employee participation in advocacy at both site manufacturing and managerial levels in coordination with Washington, D.C. and state capital activities, the group said on Thursday.

Praxair inks hydrogen supply deal with Hemlock polysilicon plant in Tennessee

Praxair has signed a multi-year contract with Dow Corning joint venture Hemlock Semiconductor to supply high-purity hydrogen to Hemlock’s new $1.2 billion polysilicon manufacturing facility under construction in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Elliott Group to supply compressors for Petrobras refinery expansions in Brazil

Elliott Group has won contracts from Brazilian oil major Petrobras to supply compressors for expansion projects at the company's REGAP and REMAN refineries as well as the new northeast refinery RNEST. The projects will aid the Petrobras' efforts to increase domestic production of high-quality diesel fuel, officials said.

Dow forms lithium-ion battery JV with Japan's Ube

Dow Chemical and Japan-based Ube Industries have agreed to form a joint venture to manufacture and market formulated electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in energy storage applications.

Oil and gas software firm DNV buys rival Synergi

DNV has acquired Synergi Solutions, enlarging its present software portfolio extensively together with 30 new employees, the oil and gas industry software firm said on Wednesday.