Americas
Shell CEO says current US gas prices too low for shale investment
Investment in shale gas won't be sustained if US natural gas benchmarks stay at their currently depressed levels, Shell chief executive Peter Voser said. US natural gas prices have fallen to their lowest point in a decade as new technologies allow producers to access vast untapped gasfields in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Petrobras to expand Minas Gerais biodiesel plant
Brazilian oil and gas company Petroleo Brasileiro, or Petrobras, signed an accord with the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to boost output of biodiesel there. Petrobras has five biodiesel plants with the total capacity to produce 721.4 million liters of biodiesel per year.
Eastman to buy US specialty chemicals firm Solutia in $4.7 billion deal
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire US-based specialty chemicals and performance materials firm Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, in a deal valued at about $4.7 billion (including debt). The deal is expected to close in mid-2012.
Siemens buys US water treatment firm Cambridge
The industry automation division of Siemens has agreed to acquire Massachusetts-based Cambridge Water Technology, the company said on Thursday, seeking to strengthen its product portfolio with new technology offerings. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Brazil to maintain reduced ethanol mix in gasoline
Brazil's government will keep the amount of ethanol mixed with gasoline at reduced levels despite complaints about low prices for the biofuel, a government official told local business daily Valor Economico in an interview published Thursday. The government will meet with ethanol producers next week.
Petrobras reports oil leak at Osorio tanker terminal
The transportation arm of Brazilian state energy company Petrobras reported an oil leak at its Osorio terminal in Rio Grande do Sul state. Transpetro said that it immediately deployed personnel and equipment to contain and remove the spill.
US business lobby likes Obama plan on China
A US business lobby group voiced support for President Barack Obama's proposal for export financing for US companies competing against Chinese rivals in third-country markets, seeking a more "level playing field" with Chinese companies.
NPRA finalizes name change, becomes American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
The long-standing US refining and petrochemical trade group National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) on Wednesday officially changed its name to the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). The name change is the fourth in its history.
Albemarle expands US polyolefin catalysts capacity
Albemarle says it successfully completed the latest expansion of its process development center (PDC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by installing a new production train for finished polyolefin catalysts and a number of supporting auxiliaries. The company did not disclose specific capacity figures on the expansion.
Hess, PdVSA to shut Hovensa refinery venture in Virgin Islands
Hovensa will shut down its 500,000 bpd St. Croix refinery in the US Virgin Islands amid weak demand, new competition.
- Kandla Port (India) advances methanol bunkering, marks key step toward green maritime transition 4/13
- PureField Ingredients receives U.S. EPA approval for ethanol carbon capture initiative 4/13
- Eslinger Biofuels and STX Group announce landmark clean fuel partnership 4/13
- FincoEnergies and Scan Global Logistics partner on Biofuel Swap verifiable road transport CO₂e reductions 4/13
- Indian state government approves $1.2-B, first-of-its-kind bamboo-to-biomethanol facility 4/13
- NextDecade to use Honeywell liquefaction technology for 30-MMtpy LNG terminal 4/13
