Refining
Executives predict shale boom in Russia and China, but Europe lags behind
Torbjorn Tornqvist, chief executive of trading house Gunvor, said Wednesday it was clear that shale production on a scale similar to that in the US is possible in several of the world's biggest current energy producers and consumers -- but that Europe is unlikely to be transformed by it.
ExxonMobil refinery fire in Beaumont injures 12
Six injured workers were taken to local hospitals for treatment, with three receiving critical burns. The unit where the fire occurred was shut down for maintenance at the time of Wednesday's blaze.
Exxon offers to buy homes near Arkansas spill site
The move is part of Exxon's response to the rupture of the Pegasus pipeline, which on March 29 spilled about 5,000 bbl of oil into streets and yards of the community. Crews were still at work this week cleaning some areas, and none of the residents of 22 evacuated homes have yet returned.
US investigators blame Chevron over Richmond refinery fire
The investigators found Chevron didn't apply safer design principles at the California refinery and also didn't fix a corroded pipe that ruptured and caused a fire and vapor cloud. The August fire at the 245,000 bpd refinery near San Francisco burned for hours, sending thick, black smoke over the San Francisco Bay.
Fluor wins FEED work from BP, Shell for clean fuels project in South Africa
The project will enable a substantial upgrade of the SAPREF refinery, thereby improving the quality of transportation fuels by reducing levels of sulfur, benzene and aromatics and meeting enhanced legislative requirements. The deal allows for a possible EPCm contract to be signed at a later date.
French court rejects bids for Petroplus refinery
The court considered Libya's Murzuk Oil and Dubai-based NetOil as potential bidders after months of selection, but they didn't offer enough financial strength for a project that requires heavy investment. The court-appointed receiver will now seek a buyer for the plant's assets and dismantle it if none is found.
Shell mulls sale of downstream businesses in Italy
The potential sale is consistent with Shell’s strategy to concentrate its global downstream businesses where it can be most competitive, according to company officials. Recent examples include the sale of refineries in the UK and Germany and downstream businesses in Finland and Sweden.
Uganda seals deal to build refinery, export pipeline
The agreement to build a refinery with a capacity of just 30,000 bpd was reached following a meeting on Saturday between Mr. Museveni and representatives of the oil companies. It follows a warning from Total in February that failure to include an export pipeline in the plan would stall the development.
Plains to build Cactus crude pipeline in West Texas
Plains said the pipeline is expected to transport both sweet and sour crude oil from the Permian Basin to the Eagle Ford pipeline it operates as part of a joint venture with Enterprise Products. The Eagle Ford pipeline serves markets in Three Rivers, Texas, and Corpus Christi, Texas.
GE unveils new corrosion protection technology for refinery steam systems
The new technology is cost-effective, according to GE officials, and will provide corrosion protection of refinery boiler and steam-condensate systems while minimizing the potential for formation of corrosive amine salts in crude distillation units where utility steam is used in crude processing.
- Vyterra Renewables receives funding to advance its Nova Scotia low-carbon fuel oil project 3/26
- BASF inaugurates €8.7-B Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China 3/26
- Partners sought from construction and engineering for program to decarbonize £1 T/yr global market for low-carbon jet fuel 3/26
- OCI Global completes handover of Beaumont New Ammonia to Woodside 3/26
- Iran war chokes petrochemical supply, sends plastic prices soaring 3/26
- Russia's vast Kirishi oil refinery halts operations after drone attacks 3/26
