Americas
ExxonMobil licenses methanol-gasoline technology to Sundrop biofuels plant
The biomass complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, will gasify forest waste supplemented with hydrogen produced from natural gas to make synthesis gas. The syngas then will be converted to methanol and fed into the MTG process, producing 3,500 bpd of renewable gasoline.
EPA emissions ruling may threaten US coal sector
Fitch Ratings says the US federal appeals court decision to uphold EPA's greenhouse gas rules will limit the use of coal and increase reliance on other fuels, like natural gas. Fitch says the decision will severely constrain the construction of future coal-fired plants.
Talisman exits Sasol Canada gas-to-liquids project following study
After participating in Sasol Canada's feasibility study for a GTL (gas-to-liquids) facility, Talisman Energy has decided not to proceed with the next phase of the project. "After careful consideration, we have concluded that there are better ways to allocate capital in support of our strategy," said John A. Manzoni, CEO.
Dow picks Pennsylvania site for chemical R&D hub
Dow Chemical has chosen Collegeville, Pa., as the site for a new research and development facility that will open in early 2013. The site is currently owned by pharmaceutical company Pfizer.
Valero idles two US ethanol plants on low margins
Valero suspended production last week at its Albion, Neb., ethanol plant, while its Linden, Ind., facility shut down production on Tuesday. Each plant has the capacity to produce 120 million gal/year of ethanol.
Wison, Hyundai nab EPC contract for Puerto la Cruz refinery in Venezuela
Consortium Hyundai-Wison will carry out engineering, procurement, construction and start-up assistance of the environmental units, auxiliary units and revamp of atmospheric distillation units of the deep conversion project. Facilities will be able to process heavy crude oil, with a capacity of 210,000 bpd.
ExxonMobil CEO bemoans natural gas pricing
ExxonMobil is making "no money" on US natural gas due to low prices that have fallen below the cost of production. "We are losing our shirts," said company CEO Rex Tillerson.
Brazil ethanol industry needs years to recover lost production, says IEA
Brazil's ethanol industry will take several years to recover from recent production setbacks due to aging agricultural infrastructure and economic uncertainties, an official at the International Energy Agency said. Brazil's growers are struggling to bounce back from a bad crop in 2011-12
BP probes blast at Colorado gas compressor plant
One contract worker was killed and two injured after a Monday explosion at BP's gas compressor station near Durango, Colorado. BP said it continues to investigate the cause of the incident.
US appeals court backs EPA greenhouse gas rules
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in an 82-page ruling, unanimously upheld the EPA's central finding that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide endanger public health and welfare. The EPA regulations followed a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2007.
- IHI, Vopak to launch ammonia terminal project in Japan 7/11
- India's BPCL plans to shut Bina refinery unit for 15-day maintenance in August 7/11
- Soaring electric truck sales deal new blow to diesel use in China 7/11
- Russia`s Tatneft launches new hydrocracking unit on TANECO refinery 7/11
- IEA: Global oil market may be tighter than it looks 7/11
- India must boost its petchem output to counter China's dominance, Reliance says 7/11
