Environment & Safety
EPA drops US investigation into fracking
The EPA will allow the state of Wyoming to continue the investigation but doesn't "plan to rely upon the conclusions' of its previous study", In late 2011, the agency released a draft report suggesting water samples near Encana gas wells in Pavillion, Wyo., contained chemicals consistent with fracking.
CF halts production at Alberta nitrogen plant amid concerns of flooding
The site on which the complex itself is located is approximately 200 feet above the normal river level. However, the pump house containing equipment used to draw river water for plant operations is near the river bank and within the area impacted by high water levels.
Shell shuts Trans-Niger oil pipeline after blast, fire
Shell said it had already shut the Trans Niger's 28-inch pipeline to remove connections used for crude oil theft when the incident occurred, causing it to shut the 24-inch pipeline as well. It said the 24-inch line will reopen once it is safe to do so, while the 28-inch line will remain remain shut-in.
US safety board to probe Williams olefins blast
The CSB looks at all areas of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations and industry standards.
Explosion hits Williams Louisiana olefins plant
An explosion and subsequent fire rocked the Williams olefins plant in Geismar, Louisiana, leading to evacuations, two deaths and numerous injuries. Ambulances and helicopters transported those injured facility to local hospitals and about 300 workers were evacuated from the scene.
BP awards environmental consulting pact to AMEC for global refining work
AMEC has an existing environmental services framework contract with BP in North America, and this latest award effectively forms a global agreement for environmental services between the two companies. The value of the contract, which will run until to 2017, has not been announced.
BP, Coast Guard conclude Gulf oil spill cleanup in three states
The US Coast Guard is ending active Deepwater Horizon cleanup in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, concluding a three-year effort to repair the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.
IEA seeks new energy policy to cut GHG emissions
The International Energy Agency called on governments around the world to act to adopt better energy-efficiency measures, cut back on the use of inefficient coal-fired power plants, minimize methane emissions from oil and gas production, and accelerate the removal of fossil fuel subsidies.
ExxonMobil Chemical wins top AFPM safety award at Baytown complex
Some 1,350 employees and contractors at ExxonMobil's Baytown chemical plant were recognized for safety performance in more than 5 million work hours in 2011 and 2012 with no recordable injuries.
Yemen foils Qaeda attempt to blow up gas pipeline
Soldiers opened fire on a vehicle that was speeding towards a gas pumping station, 80 kilometers northwest of Belhaf export terminal on the Gulf of Aden, killing the driver, said the Yemen army official. "The bomb-laden vehicle was driven by an Al-Qaeda suicide bomber," he said.
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