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Asia/Pacific

China successfully tests first flight using Sinopec's new aviation biofuel

A China Eastern Airlines Corp. passenger airplane took off from an airport in Shanghai and traveled for about 90 minutes using the fuel, which is made from palm oil and restaurant oil, Sinopec said in a news release. Sinopec added that the fuel was certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Woodside sees high demand for spot LNG cargoes

Woodside Petroleum CEO Peter Coleman doesn't see any major softening in LNG demand as buyers anticipate future supply increases from North America and East Africa. Demand for LNG is "very strong, particularly for spot cargoes and we expect that demand to maintain strength [in coming years]," he said.

Sulzer Pumps forms alliance with China's Sinopec

Through this partnership, Sulzer Pumps will support Sinopec's international operations and export business through constant and cost-effective supply and technical excellence. For service support and spare parts, Sinopec will be supported by Sulzer Pumps' global service network.

Momentive opens new Thailand coating resin plant

The new plant significantly expands Momentive’s production of acrylic-based resins in the region. The site, located in the Pinthong Industrial Estate Park, is capable of producing the latest generation of acrylic resins designed for use primarily in coatings, adhesives, and building and construction applications.

Global diesel prices likely to weaken in 2014 with startup of Jubail refinery

In product markets, the new refinery will add to the supply of clean diesel in Saudi Arabia and Europe -- markets typically supplied by India. Since Indian refiners export diesel to so many markets, the appearance of this competing supply source may have bearish consequences for global diesel prices.

Singapore shifts energy focus from refining to specialty chemicals

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

These days, attracting new refinery projects isn't a "specific aim" of the EDB, a government agency that promotes Singapore as an investment destination. They instead want new investment in specialty chemicals, which they say isn't as crowded with competitors.

UOP licenses coal-to-olefins process to China plant

It is the fourth licensing win for UOP's advanced MTO process technology. The technology allows petrochemical producers in China and elsewhere to tap cheaper coal and natural gas feedstocks, rather than liquefied petroleum gas or oil, to produce olefins to meet growing demand for petrochemicals.

Honeywell to upgrade automation for Idemitsu at Japan refining complex

Idemitsu Kosan, one of Japan's largest refining and petrochemical companies, said it hopes to modernize its control systems at Tokuyama while adopting global best practices and applications that can be added onto the Experion architecture quickly and with minimal disruption to operations.

Executives predict shale boom in Russia and China, but Europe lags behind

Torbjorn Tornqvist, chief executive of trading house Gunvor, said Wednesday it was clear that shale production on a scale similar to that in the US is possible in several of the world's biggest current energy producers and consumers -- but that Europe is unlikely to be transformed by it.

IEA warns of no progress on clean energy goals

The IEA estimates that a cut in the carbon emissions per unit of energy of more than 60% is needed to prevent global average temperatures rising by more than two degrees Celsius in the long term, and maintaining current levels would yield a temperature increase of six degrees Celsius.