Americas
Pipeline safety legislation introduced in US Senate
Two senators have introduced legislation to enhance pipeline safety. The bill strengthens pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and addresses long-standing safety issues, including the use of automatic shutoff valves and excess flow valves.
Dow Chemical closing two VCM plants
The Dow Chemical Co. will close two vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production units in 2011. Dow will shut down a production unit in Oyster Creek, Texas, in the first quarter of 2011. The closure of a second VCM unit, located in Plaquemine, Louisiana, was announced in 2009. The Louisiana plant will cease operations in the third quarter of 2011.
Addressing waste-heat-recovery in Alberta
Atlas Copco Gas and Process has received a multi-million dollar order for expander generators to be used in waste-heat-recovery. The machines, which are set for delivery in November 2011, will help produce electricity in Canada’s Alberta province.
Louisiana gas processing facility expanding to the tune of $150 million
Enbridge plans to expand the condensate processing capacity of its facility in Venice, Louisiana. The estimated cost of the expansion is $150 million and is it is expected to be completed in late 2013.
Jacobs acquires most of Aker Solutions' construction business
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has completed the acquisition of a number of Aker Solutions' operations within its process and construction (P&C) business area.
Slurry-phase hydrocracking—possible solution to refining margins
Opportunity crudes require more hydrogen addition to upgrade orphan product streams into higher-value ‘clean’ products
Convert bottom-of-the-barrel into diesel and light olefins
Integrating residue hydrocracking operations with advanced fluid catalytic cracking optimizes upgrading of heavy crude oils
What are the future fungible transportation fuels?
Alternatives hold promises to decrease dependence on crude oil, but they also uncover other challenges in distribution and engine use
How to fabricate reactors for severe service
Many critical factors are involved in the design and welding of hydrocracking reactors
Minimize carbon footprint from Claus tail-gas units
Reevaluate emissions efficiencies on sulfur-removal operations

- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4
- Brookfield Infrastructure announces the acquisition of Colonial Enterprises for $9 B 4/4
- PBF restarts some units at Martinez refinery after February fire; fire-damaged units remain shut 4/4
- Japan to curb gasoline prices from June to cushion U.S. tariff blow 4/4
- Evonik presents innovative "Debonding on Demand" concept for more sustainable bonding 4/3
- Oil, gas and refined product imports exempted from Trump’s sweeping tariffs 4/3