Americas
Chevron sees improving US refining margins in Q2, but weaker international
US-based Chevron expects significantly stronger downstream earnings in the 2012 second quarter, buoyed by improved refining margins in the US and gains on asset sales. However, international refining margins declined over the same period, the company said.
BP targets wind, biofuels within alternative energy
Katrina Landis, CEO of BP's alternative energy business, said at a gathering of the Atlantic Council in Washington that the company is ahead of schedule in its investment plans. BP projects biofuels will make up 30% of the gasoline pool by 2030 and sees cellulosic ethanol as the energy to watch.
Gevo, Beta agree to develop integrated process for cellulosic isobutanol
The deal also anticipates commercialization of the technology upon project success, which could enable renewably-sourced, competitively-priced jet fuel as well as other chemicals and fuels made from isobutanol.
India's GAIL to import 2 million tpy of LNG from US
The deal could be worth $12 billion, the newspaper said. Senior GAIL executives and Indian oil ministry officials were in the US last week to put the finishing touches on the agreement, according to the report.
EIA lowers US price estimates for refined products, oil prices in 2012
The agency said retail gasoline prices would average $3.49/gal in 2012, down from $3.56 in the June estimate. The EIA said 2012 retail diesel prices are expected to average $3.79/gal, down from $3.90/gal. The EIA said heating oil would average $3.64/gal for 2012, down from the June estimate of $3.71/gal.
DuPont picks KBR for engineering contract on Iowa cellulosic ethanol project
KBR will provide front-end engineering, detailed engineering and procurement services to DuPont’s industrial biosciences group for the plant to be constructed in the Midwest US. The ethanol facility is designed to process 1,300 tpd of corn stover and produce 27.5 million gal/year of ethanol.
CB&I wins engineering work in Texas for Enterprise propane dehydrogenation unit
CB&I was awarded a contract by Enterprise Products for the license and basic engineering of the company’s planned propane dehydrogenation unit on the Texas Gulf Coast. The project will produce 1.65 billion lb/year (approximately 750,000 tpy) of polymer-grade propylene (PGP).
Europe plays increasing role in US gasoline market
The current state of the crude oil and refining industry in the Northern Atlantic basin has led to excess European gasoline production playing a vital role, says one analyst. That additional production could be saving the US East coast from shortages, he explains.
ADT North America unit changes name to Tyco Integrated Security
Tyco International said Thursday that its ADT North America Commercial Security business unit will officially go by its new name, Tyco Integrated Security, effective immediately. The name change reflects the company’s exclusive focus and commitment to providing security solutions.
US ethylene costs recovering after 20-month low
The US spot ethylene price touched 39.5 cents/lb on June 13, extending its drop from a seven-year high of 75.12 cents/lb on April 5 after unplanned plant outages and scheduled maintenance caused supply to fall short of demand, according to the pricing service.
- 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

