Americas
Shaw, Total form global alliance on polystyrene
The Shaw Group said Monday that it formed an exclusive alliance with Total Petrochemicals to jointly market and license Total’s polystyrene technology on a worldwide basis. Shaw has had a similar alliance with Total Petrochemicals for styrene monomer, the primary feedstock for polystyrene, for 15 years.
Valero to shut Aruba refinery by end of March
The Texas-based refiner says it will suspend operations at the 235,000 bpd Aruba refinery by the end of the month because weak margins have led to financial losses.
Hess to explore sale of St. Lucia oil terminal
Hess Corp. announced Monday that it is exploring the sale of its St. Lucia crude oil and refined products storage and transshipment terminal in the Caribbean. The news comes two months after Hess unveiled plans to shut down its Hovensa refinery venture in St. Croix.
National fuel-retailing association speaks out on rising transportation fuel prices
"The retail fuels market is a complex system that is influenced by a wide number of factors. The best strategy for providing long-term relief and stability to consumers is to enact a comprehensive transportation energy policy," National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Vice President of Government Relations, John Eichberger, told Congress.
EIA raises oil price forecast for 2012
In its March "Short-Term Energy Report," the DOE/EIA raised its oil price forecast for 2012 to $106/bbl, up $5/bbl from the previous forecast amid concerns over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, growth in world demand and supply constraints in non-OPEC countries.
OPEC pins high oil prices on speculators, IEA warns of supply woes
Leaders of some of the world's largest oil producing nations Wednesday pinned current high oil prices primarily on market speculators, just as consuming nations warned that even present increased output levels are being more than offset by numerous supply problems.
Petrobras to boost gasoline, diesel imports in 2012
Brazil's Petrobras will need to import more gasoline and diesel fuel in 2012 as the company's refineries continue to fall short of domestic demand, Petrobras downstream director Paulo Roberto Costa said. Petrobras is also suffering from delays to refinery projects that will help trim the company's shortfall.
API sues EPA over US cellulosic biofuel mandate
The API) filed a lawsuit with the DC Circuit Court challenging what it called “unachievable requirements” from the US EPA for use of cellulosic biofuels in the 2012 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The API recommends that EPA base their prediction on at least two months of actual production data.
Oil producers start to worry about rising prices
As they prepare to meet with consumers at an energy summit in Kuwait, some of the world's top oil producers voiced concern that rising oil prices may backfire by jeopardizing a global economic recovery. The UK's Brent contract has risen by 17% since the start of the year amid tensions with Iran.
AFPM '12: Tesoro CEO criticizes "challenging" regulatory environment in US
Executives at the annual meeting in San Diego said the oil industry needs to do a better job of informing the public what they do and why fuel prices have increased.
- 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
