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Environment & Safety

HP Boxscore Construction Analysis: Saudi Arabia’s plan for near-zero-sulfur fuels

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

To comply with mandatory sulfur specifications for gasoline and diesel from 2013 to 2016, Saudi Arabia is spending billions of dollars to construct multiple clean-fuel projects.

HP Viewpoint: Refiners have a new learning curve with shale oil

Baker Hughes: Marfone, P. A.

We’ve all heard the news reports: “Shale resource developments have the potential to make the US energy independent for the first time since 1952.” The long-term impact of shale resourc..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 71: Statistical visual data can be useful in troubleshooting—Part 2

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

In “Case 71: Statistical visual data can be useful in troubleshooting—Part 1,” the editorial focused on how taking data and analyzing it could determine the cause for high reject rates...

HP Industry Perspectives: EU leans forward on clean-fuel strategies

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

In late January 2013, the European Commission (EC) announced ambitious measures to ensure the buildup and standardization of alternative fueling stations across Europe. Much of the earlier EC policy i..

HP Impact: Chevron hit with hefty penalties for Richmond refinery fire

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

The California Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) issued 25 citations against Chevron USA, with proposed penalties totaling nearly $1 million, for state safety st..

HP Innovations: Innovations

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

Coating system gets European patentHempel’s Ultra-High Solids and Speed (UHSS), a two-coat protective paint system certified for C5-M and C4 corrosive environments, has been granted a patent from..

Germany debates fracking as energy costs rise

This week, the government unveiled a proposal that it hopes can bridge the gap between pro-fracking advocates in industry and environmentally conscious voters. Through a change to existing laws, the government is proposing banning fracking near any water supply.

Sunoco Logistics cleaning East Texas pipeline spill

The cause of the spill is being investigated. The oil leaked out of the pipeline Saturday into Otter Creek in Tyler County, Sunoco Logistics said. The oil did not reach the Neches River, which is connected to the creek, according to Tyler County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Freeeman.

Marathon reports fire at Galveston Bay refinery

A Texas City Emergency Management alert originally stated that a tank was on fire at the 451,000-bpd refinery. But a later alert stated that a pump is on fire next to a tank. Shane Pochard, a spokesman for Marathon, said the fire has not caused any injuries nor had any offsite impact.

Safety consultant accuses BP management of 'classic failure' in Gulf spill

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

Robert Bea, a University of California Berkeley engineering professor who has worked as a safety consultant for BP starting in 2001, said he sent many warnings to the company's management in the years before the accident about how cost-cutting would hurt the safety of operations.