Americas
Chevron begins restart of Richmond refinery CDU
The crude distillation unit (CDU) was shuttered last Aug. 6 when a leak in associated piping caused a major fire. Other plants at the refinery have been operating at reduced rates since then.
Methanex approves second plant relocation from Chile to US
The Geismar II project includes their 1 million tpy methanol plant, which is expected to be operational by early 2016. The second phase is likely to cost $550 million. The global demand outlook for methanol is favorable and demand is expected to outpace capacity additions in the industry, the company says.
Two fuel barges explode in Alabama; three injured
Early indications were that a spark ignited residual gasoline vapors while a crew was cleaning the barges, said Lt. Mike Clausen of the US Coast Guard, which was still conducting an investigation late Thursday. "That's where the investigation is currently leading," he said.
Tesoro, Savage to build crude-by-rail shipping yard for US West Coast refiners
With access to rail and existing marine infrastructure, the Port of Vancouver is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for the distribution of North American crude oil to West Coast refining centers, according to the companies. The deal is subject to approval by regulatory agencies and port commissioners.
India's Petronet agrees to 20-year deal to buy LNG from US company United
India's natural gas importers are fast sealing deals to secure supplies as demand far exceeds domestic output. The nation currently produces about three-quarters of its natural-gas requirements, but will need to import nearly half of its requirements within a few years due to dwindling production.
Sulzer Pumps forms alliance with China's Sinopec
Through this partnership, Sulzer Pumps will support Sinopec's international operations and export business through constant and cost-effective supply and technical excellence. For service support and spare parts, Sinopec will be supported by Sulzer Pumps' global service network.
Survey finds majority support Keystone XL pipeline
Nearly 75% of Americans and 68% of Canadians said they support or somewhat support the project, which would carry heavy crude from the Alberta oil sands to the US Gulf for refining. "Energy security, particularly in the US, is driving views on energy issues," said Nik Nanos, president of Nanos Research.
Brazil announces stimulus package for ethanol, petrochemical producers
The Brazilian government is hoping that lower taxes on the country's sugarcane ethanol and petrochemical industries will help boost the competitiveness of exports.
Crosstex to build Louisiana NGL fractionation unit, picks UOP technology
Under the deal, UOP will build and install the UOP Russell fractionation equipment that is designed to extract ethane and propane -- highly in demand as petrochemical feedstocks for producing ethylene and propylene, two building blocks for plastics -- from mixed natural gas liquids (NGL) streams.
US monthly oil demand nudges up; gasoline down
Despite the modest rise of about 100,000 bpd, demand was the second lowest in March since 1997, the API said. Demand for gasoline, the most widely used petroleum product in the country, fell 2.3% in March to a 13-year low of 8.4 million bpd. First-quarter gasoline use was off 1.7% from a year earlier.
- XRG to expand its global chemicals reach with takeover of Covestro 11/21
- U.S. FERC explores blanket authorizations for LNG projects 11/21
- thyssenkrupp Uhde selected by Dangote Fertilizer Ltd. to license four urea granulation units in Nigeria 11/21
- Indian and Chinese refineries are moving to comply with U.S. sanctions on Russia 11/21
- Dynamis Power Solutions awards Baker Hughes with significant order for gas turbine technology to support mobile power for oil and gas applications 11/21
- China's first coal-to-chemicals project with green hydrogen starts commercial operations 11/20
