Americas
Middle East eyes heavier ethylene feedstocks as US rides ethane wave
As North American shale resources drive low-cost ethylene production, Middle East producers are shifting their focus to heavier feedstocks and higher value-added products.
India's Reliance mulls expanded role in Venezuela
Venezuela is looking for Reliance's collaboration on the construction of the $10 billion Cabruta refinery, development of the Junin 1 bloc in the Orinoco heavy oil belt, as well as an expansion of the Petroanzoategui upgrader facility, said Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, who also heads PdVSA.
Total Safety taps Western Refining site in Texas for safety innovation award
Total Safety, a global company focused on integrated industrial safety services, awards its Safety Innovation Award to companies that cutting-edge advancements in areas of safety.
Japan's JX to fuel power plant from refinery waste
Japan's JX Nippon plans to install equipment within the refinery to solidify and extract heavy oil left over after gasoline and light oil are produced from crude. It will also modify idle turbines and boilers on adjoining land to use the oil for power generation. The project will cost a total of Y25 billion.
Mexico to fine Pemex for monopolizing diesel, gasoline distribution
Antitrust commissioners voted 3-2 that Pemex's legal monopoly over the production and sale of motor fuels doesn't extend to distribution of the fuel, and that it can't force gas station owners to use its distribution network. The regulatory body gave Pemex 30 business days to present a plan for compliance.
Gevo opens renewable paraxylene plant in Texas
The paraxylene facility is located adjacent to Gevo's existing jet fuel plant in Silsbee, Texas, and establishes the site as a biorefinery serving the renewable chemicals and true drop-in biofuels markets.
US fuels demand surges to three-year high in July
US demand for distillate fuel, the umbrella group for diesel fuel and heating oil, rose 8% from a year earlier, to 3.835 million bpd, a six-year high for July. Within that figure, demand for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, used to power trucks and trains, was 9.1% higher at 3.661 million bpd.
CB&I, Clariant look to develop new polypropylene catalyst technologies
By leveraging the successful licensing and process design experience of Lummus Novolen and the strong catalyst R&D capabilities of Clariant, the two companies expect to further strengthen their joint position in polypropylene catalysts. Clariant and Lummus Novolen will jointly invest in the new line.
Global LNG trade likely to decline again in 2013
Analysts say LNG supply is lagging demand due to a lack of new projects for exporting gas and falling supply from key exporters like Indonesia, the Middle East and Africa.
Technip, Sasol form engineering alliance on GTL
Technip and Sasol, the owner of the world’s leading gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology, have established an alliance for front-end engineering services on future projects.
- Allied Biofuels signs PIA with Uzbekistan to advance $6-B biofuels refinery project 4/10
- Nufarm strengthens strategic collaboration to support long term growth in biofuels production 4/10
- Pertamina and CRecTech sign MoU to explore pilot biogas-to-biomethanol facility in SEZ, Indonesia 4/10
- Shell Chemicals and Syensqo partner to deliver low-carbon ethylene oxide solutions 4/10
- HAMR Energy’s nationally significant fuel projects selected for Australian Government’s Investor Front Door Pilot 4/10
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries builds world's first ammonia-powered vessel 4/10
