Asia/Pacific
Momentive to expand silicones production in India
Momentive Performance Materials is expanding its specialty silicones manufacturing facility and application development center in Chennai, India. The expansion is part of Momentive’s long-standing commitment to India and the surrounding regions, the company said. Capacity details were not disclosed.
Mitsui to license polyurethane technology to SABIC
The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) signed a TDI and MDI technology license agreement with Mitsui Chemicals under which Mitsui will provide manufacturing technology for producing TDI and MDI. The firms say they will explore future possibilities to collaborate in the polyurethane (PU) business.
India seeks boost in Saudi Arabia crude oil supply
India has asked Saudi Arabia to augment daily shipments by up to 100,000 bbl each year to meet expanding refining capacities at home, Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy said.
Lower crude exports from Iran could trigger 30% spike in oil prices - IMF
A halt of Iran's oil exports to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries could trigger a 20%-30% spike in oil prices, an International Monetary Fund official said. The EU last month said it would ban all purchases of oil from Iran for countries within the union.
ITT lands global deal to supply pumps for Shell
ITT announced an agreement with Shell Global Solutions in which ITT’s Goulds Pumps brand will provide American Petroleum Institute (API) centrifugal pumps to support Shell operations worldwide. The deal is for five years with an option for an additional five years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Reliance, SIBUR plan India butyl rubber venture
Reliance Industries and Russian petrochemical major SIBUR formed a $450mn venture to make 100,000 tpy of butyl rubber at Jamnagar in the western India state of Gujarat.
ExxonMobil LNG venture in Papua New Guinea sets expansion target
A $15.7 billion energy venture in Papua New Guinea operated by ExxonMobil may know by the end of the year if it has enough gas for an expansion that could vastly improve its profitability. Initial drilling to support a possible expansion of the project has been pushed back until mid-2012.
Honeywell opens new technology hub in India
The company says the center will expand its development in downstream sectors such as refining, petrochemicals and nylon technologies and applications.
Taiwan considers reducing crude imports from Iran
Taiwan is considering cutting imports of crude oil from Iran in cooperation with US and European efforts to choke off Iran's oil revenue over the nation's nuclear program, a foreign affairs official said Thursday. The US has held talks with several of its Asian partners about the effort to cut off Iran's oil exports.
Thai Oil to build $300mn linear alkyl benzene plant
Thai Oil plans to build a $300-million linear alkyl benzene facility at its oil refinery in Thailand's eastern Sri Racha province, the Bangkok Post reported Thursday, citing CEO Surong Bulakul. Linear alkyl benzene is often used as a raw material in the production of detergents.
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