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bp, Shell agree to sell their shares in South Africa's SAPREF refinery

bp Southern Africa and Shell Downstream South Africa have reached an agreement for the sale of their respective 50% ownership assets located at the SAPREF Refinery Precinct to the South African state-owned entity, Central Energy Fund SOC Ltd.  

TPC Group fined $30 MM over 2019 Texas (U.S.) blasts that caused evacuations

TPC Group was fined more than $30 MM over blasts at its Port Neches petrochemical plant in Texas (U.S.) that prompted thousands of people to be evacuated in 2019.

Shell shareholders reject investor climate resolution

Shell shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a climate resolution filed by an activist group following a meeting punctuated by protests.

Malaysia to cut diesel subsidies, saving $852 MM/yr

Malaysia will begin cutting fuel subsidies to bolster its fiscal position starting with diesel, a move that will save about 4 $852 MM/yr.

Golden Pass LNG in discussions with contractor, may delay startup

Golden Pass LNG, a JV between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, said it was in ongoing talks with a contractor that could have near-term impacts on activity at its site.

Shell to exit South Africa's downstream businesses

Shell will divest its majority shareholding from a local South African downstream unit after a comprehensive review of its businesses across all regions.

ADNOC terminates talks to buy stake in Brazil's Braskem

Brazilian petrochemical producer Braskem said that Abu Dhabi oil company ADNOC has decided to terminate talks to buy a stake held by conglomerate Novonor in the firm.

Editorial Comment: Maintenance and inspection pathways/technologies to optimize unit reliability

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Unit uptime is one of the most important aspects in refining and petrochemical plant operations. Work stoppages due to any number of causes can be detrimental to profitability; therefore, it is imperative to utilize best practices, technologies, techniques and know-how to ensure processing units operate efficiently and safely.

UAE's ADNOC recently eyed bp as takeover target, sources say

The United Arab Emirates' state-owned oil company recently considered buying Britain's bp but the deliberations did not progress beyond preliminary discussions.

Greece arrests member of gang that raked in $21 B from fuel-product smuggling

Greek authorities have arrested a senior member of an international gang that smuggled Latin American fuel products for illegal sale around the world, raking in an estimated profit of more than $21 B.