Environment & Safety
US launches antitrust investigation into pressure-pumping industry
Baker Hughes said it received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Justice Department under the Antitrust Civil Process Act. The request sought information relating to the US pressure-pumping market beginning May 29, 2011. Additional details about the scope of the investigation were not available.
Evacuated drilling rig in Gulf of Mexico catches fire
The rig, located in shallow water off Grand Isle, Louisiana, has been leaking natural gas. It ignited about 10:50 Tuesday evening, according to the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The crew had evacuated Tuesday morning and no one was aboard when it caught fire.
Quebec oil train crash blamed on weak brake force
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the country's main investigator of rail accidents, said that its initial investigation has determined that the amount of braking force applied to the train that was left outside Lac-Megantic was insufficient on the specific grade where the locomotive was parked.
Pipeline safety officials in California call for stiffer punishment of PG&E
The penalty case stems from the September 2010 explosion of a high-pressure natural-gas pipeline owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co, which cut through a residential neighborhood in San Bruno. The rupture caused a massive fireball that killed eight people and injured 58 others.
Linde, Sapphire Energy to develop algae-to-crude process technology
Together, the companies will refine the hydrothermal treatment process developed and operated today by Sapphire Energy at pilot scale. In addition, they will jointly license and market the technology into an expanded list of industries, including algae, municipal solid waste and farm waste.
Shell closes Nigerian oil pipeline again due to leak
The latest incident underscores how, despite a government crackdown, oil theft remains a persistent problem in Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, and continues to disrupt its crude supply.
Peru eases environmental standards after refiners express concerns
The Environment Ministry issued a resolution this weekend that exempts the cities of Ilo, La Oroya and Arequipa from tougher environmental standards aimed at lowering levels of sulfur-dioxide emissions.
Shell spends $115mn to cut pollution at Texas refinery, chemical plant
At its Deer Park refinery, Shell will spend $115 million to control harmful air pollution from industrial flares and other processes. The company is also paying a $2.6 million civil penalty.
US Energy Department examines climate's impact on infrastructure
The US Department of Energy released a report that assesses how critical energy and electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to the impacts of recent climate trends.
Exxon Arkansas pipeline rupture blamed on defect
An independent report found that a rupture in an ExxonMobil pipeline that spilled thousands of barrels of oil in Arkansas earlier this year was caused by defects dating back to when the pipe was built in the 1940s.
- KBR to provide technology for mega-scale ammonia plant in Angola 11/25
- China issues extra crude oil import quota to teapot refineries 11/25
- McDermott achieves ISO 50001 Certification for energy management at four fabrication yards 11/25
- DNV certifies first CO2 storage site in Middle East for ADNOC CCS project 11/25
- ExxonMobil plans 1 Blbs/yr of advanced recycling by 2027 11/22
- Gauging the likely Trump effect on U.S. energy and power sectors 11/22
