Environment & Safety
Norway nixes big carbon capture project at Statoil refinery in Mongstad
The project has been both challenging and costly, and the risks are now seen as too big to go through with it, the government said. Statoil said it has no plans to shut down the refinery, which ran a surplus in 2012 for the first time in years, and was going through a cost savings program.
China unveils subsidies for fuel-efficient vehicles
The program is to "speed development of the new-energy automobile industry, reduce emissions and help control pollution," the ministry said in a statement published on its website.
Foster Wheeler wins top safety award by US forum of engineers, contractors
Foster Wheeler's initiative to achieve a safety culture step-change by balancing observable and measureable safety tools with a personal commitment to safety led to the company receiving the 2013 Award for Excellence from the Rice Global Engineering & Construction Forum (RGF) in Houston.
Crude oil in Quebec rail disaster was mislabeled
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said its tests showed the oil had a much lower flash point -- the temperature at which a fire can ignite -- than originally indicated on tank-car signage and was more dangerous than identified on the railcars that plowed into Lac-Megantic on July 6.
Poland delays LNG terminal, shows support for coal
The terminal, now due for completion at the end of 2014, and the development of Poland's shale gas deposits are important components of the government's strategy to reduce the country's dependence on natural gas imports from Russia. The country also wants to lower its carbon dioxide emissions.
Alberta leader asks pipeline firms to invest in new monitoring technologies
The minister's comments come amid increased scrutiny over pipeline integrity following a series of high-profile oil pipe leaks in recent years and persistent questions about risks from proposed pipeline projects designed to carry even more heavy crude from Alberta's booming oil sands.
US energy groups petition federal regulators over railcar safety proposals
The Compressed Gas Association is asking that regulations be rewritten to "clearly indicate that the liquid portion of the gas must not completely fill the tank." It says the rule permits the transport of carbon dioxide and refrigerated liquid "in an unsafe condition," according to a petition.
Iran agrees to release detained Indian Oil tanker
Iran detained the ship carrying crude oil from Iraq to India on August 13, saying it was polluting Iranian waters. India had denied the allegation, and according to the tanker's owner, state-run Shipping Corp. of India, the vessel wasn't in Iranian waters when it was detained.
BASF extends technology partnership with Apprion for North American plants
BASF and Apprion have finalized an initial $10 million deal for multiple application projects to be implemented over the next two years. These applications will enable BASF facilities to address their industrial safety, security, compliance and performance initiatives via Apprion's systems and services.
Mitigate fouling in crude unit overhead—Part 1
In a refinery crude distillation column, up to 40% of the total heat removal may be found in the tower overhead condenser. The quantity of duty available makes heat integration (HI) between the column..
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