Environment & Safety
Halliburton files protest against BP spill settlement
Halliburton is objecting to BP’s proposed $7.8 billion settlement with individual plaintiffs for its involvement in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster. The Houston-based company also contends BP's settlement would make Halliburton responsible for paying at least part of the settlement.
Former BP engineer faces first criminal charges in Deepwater Horizon case
Kurt Mix of Katy, Texas, is charged with two counts of obstructing justice for deleting from his iPhone hundreds of text messages he exchanged with a co-worker and a contractor.
EPA settles US biofuel violations with 30 companies
Thirty companies have agreed to pay what the EPA described as "modest" civil penalties for using fraudulent credits to meet a federal biofuel mandate. The settlement resolves violations of the Renewable Fuels Standard for companies such as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.
EPA delays new US 'fracking' rules until 2015
Wells where natural gas is captured through the controversial "fracking" technique will have until 2015 to comply with new rules designed to reduce air pollution. The EPA said it is phasing in the rules for "fracked" natural gas wells to "ensure emissions reduction technology is broadly available."
Siemens, Shell seal gas chromatography pact
Under the agreement, Siemens will supply gas chromatographs along with related systems such as analysis cabinets and shelters to numerous Shell global energy projects.
Airgas wins fleet safety award from US gas group
Airgas received a fleet safety award from the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), the US industrial and medical gas industry’s standard-setting organization for the promotion of safety standards and safe practices. It was the third straight year Airgas was presented with the award.
White House forms oversight panel for gas policy
The White House announced the formation of a high-level working group designed to coordinate the government's oversight of natural gas drilling and the much-scrutinized drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing. A recent boom in production has provided ample cheap natural gas in the US.
Marathon agrees to limit refinery pollution in US Clean Air Act settlement
The US DoJ and EPA said Marathon Petroleum agreed to reduce air pollution from all six of the company's petroleum refineries as part of a settlement over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. Marathon, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, will also pay a civil penalty of $460,000. It had no immediate comment.
Air Products wins top safety improvement award from US gas group
Air Products was recognized Thursday for its improvement in occupational safety, receiving the annual Leonard Parker Pool Award from the US Compressed Gas Association (CGA) trade group. The award is based upon the total recordable incidence rates, as defined by OSHA.
Rockwood opens surface treatment plant in India, targets automotive industry
Chemetall Surface Treatment, the global metal surface treatment business of Rockwood, has invested in a new state-of-the-art production plant in Chennai, India, in response to rising demand for local products. The design and construction of the plant set new benchmarks in safety and quality, the company said.
- 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
