Americas
California switches to winter gasoline to ease cost
The shortages underscore California's relative isolation from the rest of the nation in terms of energy. The state is the largest fuel market in the nation, but its strict production rules make importing gasoline from other areas difficult; and there are no fuel pipelines connecting it to markets across the Rocky Mountains.
OxyChem picks CB&I for engineering on proposed Texas ethane cracker
The scope of work for CB&I includes the basic engineering for the ethylene technology and five SRT (short residence time) cracking heaters from CB&I's Lummus Technology business unit. Feedstock for the proposed cracker is anticipated to be ethane derived from domestic shale gas.
Fluor, Construcap target client executives for new Brazil engineering venture
Earlier this summer, Fluor and Construcap formed CFPS Engenharia e Projetos, S.A., to pursue engineering, procurement and construction management services in Brazil. Construcap has been active in the Brazilian market for nearly 70 years and is one of Brazil’s largest EPC companies.
BP sells Texas City refinery to Marathon for $2.5bn
Subject to regulatory and other approvals, Marathon Petroleum will purchase the 475,000 bpd Texas City refinery, associated natural gas liquids pipelines and four marketing terminals in the southeast US.
Innospec makes takeover bid for US petrochemical company TPC Group
The TPC Group board of directors said it determined in good faith, after consultation with independent legal and financial advisors, that this offer could lead to a superior proposal. As such, the board said it will carefully consider and evaluate the non-binding proposal from Innospec in coming weeks.
Valero suspends spot gasoline sales in California
Valero, the largest US refiner, took the unusual step after a series of shutdowns at Richmond and other refineries. Valero said it will meet its current contracts to supply gasoline, but won't sell into the spot market. Spokesman Bill Day said resumption of spot sales "will depend on markets and inventories."
Energy group proceeds with $45bn Alaska pipeline to export LNG to Asia
In a letter to Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP and TransCanada said this week that they have agreed on a plan to combine what were once two competing natural gas pipeline projects destined for the continental US into one project aiming at overseas markets.
Sunoco completes US merger with Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer gains 7,900 miles of crude oil and refined fuel pipelines from Sunoco Logistics Partners master limited partnership and give it a toe-hold in the Marcellus and Utica shale regions, increasingly productive sources of oil and natural gas. Sunoco now becomes a subsidiary of Energy Transfer.
ExxonMobil Baytown fire caused by hole in reactor
ExxonMobil said this week's fire at its massive Texas refinery will result in some impacts to production, but it still expects to meet contractual agreements. All remaining refining operations are normal.
Lubrizol to build resin, compounding plant in Texas
The additional capacity will serve Lubrizol building and construction customers on a global basis. Lubrizol says it projects continued strong global growth in its chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) business, with particularly strong demand in India and other developing economies.
- 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

