Asia/Pacific
Yara, Apache take control of Burrup ammonia plant in Australia
Apache has acquired 49% interest in Burrup Holdings, owner of an ammonia fertilizer plant in the Burrup Peninsula region of Western Australia. Meanwhile, Yara paid $143 million to increase its ownership in the 850,000 tpy plant to 51% from 35%.
Praxair sells US advanced components unit to NGK
Praxair has sold its advanced components business to Fremont, Calif.-based FM Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan’s NGK Insulators. The advanced components business designs, engineers, manufactures and supplies electrostatic chucks (ESCs) and critical chamber components for semiconductor processing equipment.
Shell, ORTEC form alliance on technical consulting
Shell and ORTEC formed a global cooperation alliance, focusing on the optimization of supply chain processes and strategic decision making in up - and downstream engineering disciplines like planning & scheduling, gas field production capacity optimization, spare parts management, and cost estimating.
OPEC sees no shortage of oil in any region
OPEC's secretary general said Monday that there is currently no shortage of oil anywhere, despite current supply concerns. Oil markets have been jittery by interruption of supply from countries such as Sudan and fears Iran may preempt a planned European embargo on its oil exports.
Cheniere inks sales pact with Korea Gas to export Sabine Pass LNG
Cheniere Energy Partners has entered into an LNG sale and purchase agreement with Korea Gas Corp.(Kogas) under which Kogas has agreed to purchase 3.5 million tpy of LNG upon the completion of train three operations. The agreement has a term of 20 years and an extension option of up to 10 years.
Eastman to buy US specialty chemicals firm Solutia in $4.7 billion deal
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire US-based specialty chemicals and performance materials firm Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, in a deal valued at about $4.7 billion (including debt). The deal is expected to close in mid-2012.
Samsung, Total plan $1.8 billon expansion on South Korea petrochemical venture
Construction at the Daesan complex will include a second aromatics1 unit and an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer unit.
UOP technology chosen for diesel, lube production at Pakistan refinery expansion
Honeywell’s UOP says that its new process technology designed to help refiners get more product from each crude barrel has been selected by National Refinery Limited (NRL) to maximize diesel and lubricant production in Pakistan. The facility will produce 40,000 bpd of diesel fuel and 4,500 bpd of lube base oils.
US business lobby likes Obama plan on China
A US business lobby group voiced support for President Barack Obama's proposal for export financing for US companies competing against Chinese rivals in third-country markets, seeking a more "level playing field" with Chinese companies.
Sinopec boosts Queensland LNG stake in Australia
Australia Pacific LNG and Sinopec amended their existing LNG sales agreement for the supply of an additional 3.3 million tpy of LNG through to 2035 from Australia Pacific LNG’s world-class coal seam gas resources and LNG facility on Curtis Island, Gladstone in Queensland. Sinopec’s ownership interest will rise to 25% from 15%.
- U.S. labor board judge rules Exxon's Texas refinery union lockout was legal 11/28
- U.S. crude stocks fall, gasoline and distillate inventories rise 11/28
- Maersk could use 15%–20% alternative fuels for its fleet in 2030 11/28
- Germany's BSW pushes to restore Russian oil to Schwedt refinery, seeks regional legitimacy 11/28
- Asia likely to benefit from cheaper Canadian, Mexican oil if Trump imposes tariffs 11/28
- Singapore distillates stocks tick up for fifth week 11/28
