Middle East
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 73: Useful troubleshooting tools to keep at hand
Over the past 45 years, the author has pursued troubleshooting machinery and pressure vessels. It has also been the subject of this column. The troubleshooting tools used in this endeavor have been an..
HP Impact: US targets Iran’s petrochemical industry
The US Treasury Department, acting in concert with the US Department of State, recently took action to target Iran’s petrochemical industry (Fig. 2). As Iran’s oil revenues continue to fall ..
HP Impact: Global distribution of natural catastrophes in 2012
In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes worldwide, 93% of which were weather-related disasters. In terms of overall and insured losses ($170 billion and $70 billion, respectively), 2012 did not f..
HP Construction Profile: European refiner makes significant processing advancements
At the Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi refinery, Eni is moving forward with leading-edge technological breakthroughs to produce “clean” transportation fuels. This refinery has a balanced 190,00..
Use wireless valve-monitoring technology to your advantage
Financial pressures, combined with increasing safety and environmental requirements, have resulted in a significant increase in the need for valve-position monitoring in industrial plants. However, th..
Uganda fuel tanker collison sparks fire, killing 30
Ugandan police said that the fuel tanker was involved in a collision with a small vehicle along a major highway in Kampala, causing a spill. A fire broke out shortly, setting vehicles and people ablaze during the evening rush hour, according to Patrick Onyango, Uganda police spokesman.
Aramco, Sinopec to start operations at new Saudi refinery by late 2014
Aramco and Sinopec Group signed the deal to develop the 400,000-bpd refinery, known as Yasref, in January last year. Sinopec holds a 37.5% stake in the project, while Saudi Aramco owns 62.5%. The proposed commence date is slightly behind schedule, which was slated for September 2014.
Saudi Arabia to build world's largest butanol plant
At its first meeting in Jubail, the SaBuCo board observed that the new venture was a reflection of the strong cooperation between three leading Saudi petrochemical companies and their commitment to create economic value through efficient and effective utilization of the country's natural resources.
Israeli government approves some gas exports
Israel approved the export of 40% of natural gas from the country's offshore Leviathan reserve, opening the way for an inflow of billion of dollars into the domestic economy.
Sadara chemicals venture of Saudi Aramco, Dow secures key funding
The Sadara complex, one of the world's largest chemicals plants, is expected to produce more than 3 million tpy of petrochemicals once it is completed in 2016. Khalid al-Falih, CEO of Saudi Aramco, said in 2011 that Sadara would require large amounts of debt finance, and it was considering various options.
- Exploring ethanol: Maersk to test 50/50 ethanol-methanol bunker fuel 12/8
- BASF introduces low-VOC polyurethane catalyst Lupragen® N 208 12/8
- Idemitsu Kosan to be first Japanese refiner to supply biofuels to shipping industry 12/8
- China refiner moves forward with expansion despite sanctions 12/8
- Air Products and Yara to partner on low-emission ammonia projects 12/8
- Opinion: G7’s Russian oil tanker ban shows teeth, but bite is in doubt 12/8

