Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Crude oil

US oil industry seeks policy changes as EIA unveils annual energy outlook

With changes in policy, America's oil and natural gas industry could produce at home far more of the energy the nation requires, further enhancing its energy security and providing very large benefits to the economy, according to the CEO of the American Petroleum Institute.

European Union imposes ban on Iran crude imports

The 27-nation European Union agreed on Monday to block all crude-oil imports from Iran, as it steps up pressure on the Gulf nation to scale back its nuclear-enrichment program. The Council also agreed to freeze assets of the Iranian central bank within the EU.

Global oil, gas leaders see higher 2012 spending as industry confidence rises - poll

Oil and gas industry leaders have forecast improved performance and higher levels of capital expenditure in 2012 despite concerns over global economic instability, according to a new report on the future of the sector. North America is emerging as the area with the greatest opportunities in 2012, the poll shows.

Petroplus looks to sell France refinery, mulls additional sales

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

Petroplus plans to sell its Petit Couronne refinery in France amid credit woes. It is also examining options for oil refineries in Antwerp, Belgium, and Cressier, Switzerland.

Keyera acquires Canadian iso-octane plant from Neste Oil, ChevronTexaco

Competition authorities in the US and Canada have approved the sale of Neste Oil's 50% holding in an iso-octane production plant in Edmonton, Canada, to Canadian-based Keyera. The announcement was first made on December 8, 2011.

US fuel demand tanks amid low gasoline use - API

US petroleum deliveries in December 2011 were down 5.9% from December 2010, declining to an average of 18.6 million bpd to hit their lowest December level in 15 years. Overall, total petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) fell 1.2% in 2011 to an average of 18.9 million bpd.

US oil groups ask EPA to cut cellulosic biofuel rule

The NPRA, API and Western States Petroleum Association jointly filed a petition Friday requesting that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waive the 2011 cellulosic biofuel volume mandate in its entirety. The groups claim no cellulosic biofuel was actually produced last year.

Keystone XL ruling shows need to diversify energy exports - Canada minister

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

Obama's decision to deny TransCanada a permit for Keystone XL underlines the need for Canada to diversify its energy exports, with particular focus on China, the official says.

CNPC inks deal with Shell, Qatar for China refinery, petrochemical project

China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) said Thursday that it signed a deal with Qatar Petroleum and Shell to build a refining complex in the eastern Chinese city of Taizhou. The project will import condensate and raw materials to produce ethylene and other petrochemical products.

CB&I awarded oil sands expansion work in Canada

CB&I has won a contract, valued in excess of $750 million, by Imperial Oil Resources for work on its Kearl expansion project in Alberta, Canada. Work scope includes the engineering, procurement and module assembly and construction of a second bitumen extraction plant.