Environment & Safety
California seeks $2.25 billion fine against PG&E for gas pipeline explosion
PG&E has admitted liability for the blast in public statements and in radio and TV ads. But in legal documents filed with the state utilities commission, it denied most of the state's allegations that it violated safety rules. The company has set aside $200 million to pay for potential penalties.
Exxon, union workers reach safety deal to avert Baytown refinery strike
ExxonMobil agreed to implement a fatigue management system regulating how many days in a row someone can work and to accept a process safety representative position in the new three-year deal.
Chinese residents protest new refining projects
Environmental consciousness among ordinary Chinese has risen further in recent months after a spate of severe air pollution blanketed large swaths of the country this winter.
Nigeria's national oil company denies reports of pipeline protection agency
NNPC said that it has no plan to set up an agency to protect pipelines in the country. A NNPC spokeswoman, said that the corporation and its subsidiary Pipelines and Produce Marketing Co. aren't privy to any plan by the federal government to up the agency or a commission to protect the pipelines.
BP completes clean diesel project at Washington refinery
The 'Clean Diesel Project,' under way since May, 2011, was completed in April at a cost of $85 million. The new construction enables the refinery to produce ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that meets or exceeds all federally mandated on-road diesel specifications, according to the company.
Shell extinguishes fire after 'tube burst' at Pernis refinery in Netherlands
Shell said it had put out a fire caused by a "tube burst" at its Netherlands refinery. The company added that the fire had a limited effect on operations at its 400,000 bpd Pernis refinery, one of its largest.
Exxon cleans up Pegasus pipeline spill in Missouri
A resident notified the company that oil had stained the pipeline. Exxon is investigating the cause of the incident. The Pegasus pipeline has been out of service since March 29, when a breach in the line led to thousands of barrels of oil spilling into a residential neighborhood in Mayflower, Arkansas.
Avoid hidden costs of suction-specific speed in pumping
More than 30 years ago, a landmark study observed a relationship between suction-specific speed and the probability of pump failure that changed the way pumps are selected. This observation created th..
Investigate power limitations in a large steam turbine
An investigation was carried out to rectify power limitations for a steam-turbine driver of a cracked-gas compressor (CGC) in a world-class ethylene plant.DescriptionThe turbine is a nine-stage, impul..
Seal safety may require going beyond typical standards
Top industry professionals believe users must reach beyond typical standards in applying safer mechanical seals when hazardous and toxic chemicals are involved.
- Valero Energy Q4 profit beats estimates; shares surge 1/30
- Dow launches "Transform to Outperform" to raise the competitive industry benchmark for productivity and growth to enable improved returns 1/30
- Russian oil refineries' peak maintenance expected in January and September 1/30
- U.S. lifts some Venezuela sanctions to ease oil sales 1/30
- Keppel, Aster plan sustainable aviation fuel project in Singapore 1/30
- Boeing, Israel's Technion to develop sustainable aviation fuel, as sector grapples with 2050 goal 1/30
