Americas
Petrobras delays Comperj refinery startup to 2016
Speaking during an event Friday, Petrobras CEO Maria das Gracas Foster said environmental license issues and changes to the refinery's design were the reasons for the delay. The Comperj refinery will have installed capacity to process 165,000 bpd of crude oil when it first enters operation.
ExxonMobil to fund training program for Houston chemical industry jobs
The initiative will build on the success of the nationally-recognized ExxonMobil process technology program at Lee College and will benefit 50,000 students and educators over the next five years.
BG inks new LNG supply deal with Chile's Endesa
After Henry Hub prices declined sharply, BG sought to renegotiate the conditions on long-term LNG supply contracts signed in 2007 with Endesa, state oil company Enap, and Metrogas. Endesa officials said the gas deal will help the development of new gas-fired projects in central Chile.
Wood Group Mustang to build Texas pipelines for Dow ethylene project
Wood Group Mustang has previously provided a full spectrum of services for Dow's pipeline assets, including support for the company's Texas pipeline integrity program. Following completion of front-end loading (FEL) in 2012, detailed design for the project began in February 2013.
ExxonMobil Chemical wins top AFPM safety award at Baytown complex
Some 1,350 employees and contractors at ExxonMobil's Baytown chemical plant were recognized for safety performance in more than 5 million work hours in 2011 and 2012 with no recordable injuries.
Refinery watch: Planned and unplanned US outages
Motiva Enterprises on June 6 said planned maintenance on a delayed coker unit's gas recovery system at its Port Arthur, Texas, refinery under way since June 3 resulted in flaring. Tesoro on June 2 reported the start-up of a H2SO4 plant at its Golden Eagle Refinery in Martinez, California.
Kentz wins engineering work at Alaska gas cycling, condensate project
Kentz said it has been awarded a contract award in Alaska for the Point Thomson gas cycling and condensate production plant, its largest US contract to date. The precise value was not disclosed.
Petroperu to start Talara refinery upgrade in July
The president of Petroperu said preliminary work on the $2.7 billion project has already started. The government plans to reduce levels of sulfur and allow the aging refinery to refine heavier crude.
Canada crude production likely to double by 2030
In its annual long-term forecast for Canadian crude production, the industry trade group said crude oil production will reach 6.7 million bpd by 2030, up from 3.2 million bpd in 2012. CAPP said its forecast includes oil-sands production of 5.2 million bpd by 2030, up from 1.8 million last year.
US energy group asks Supreme Court to overturn E15 ethanol blends
The API says higher ethanol blends can damage engines and cause vehicles that use it to break down, even on vehicles that EPA has approved to use the fuel, according to Coordinating Research Council testing. Several auto manufacturers have said they will not honor warranties when E15 causes damage.

- Transition Industries signs agreements for the Pacifico Mexinol Project, an ultra-low carbon chemical production facility 7/3
- Bangkok Airways introduces SAF on commercial flights 7/3
- EcoCeres secures SAF contract with British Airways to help reduce carbon emissions 7/3
- Air Liquide to invest up to $200 MM in Louisiana, U.S. to support industrial growth 7/3
- MOL completes the acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals 7/3
- BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fueled vessels 7/3