Americas
PPG launches plan to secure additional TiO2 supply
US-based paints and coatings major PPG Industries said Tuesday it has undertaken a strategic initiative with multiple global suppliers to secure and enhance its supply of titanium dioxide (TiO2), as well as add to the global supply of the raw material. TiO2 prices have soared in recent years amid dwindling supply.
Shell looking at gas-to-liquids projects in US
Royal Dutch Shell is in the early stages of planning projects to turn natural gas into fuels like diesel in the US, of similar scale to its huge project in Qatar. Shell is only interested in large-scale projects similar to the $18 billion Pearl gas-to-liquids plant it has developed in Qatar, the company said.
Sunoco idles key processing units at Pennsylvania refinery, cites weak market
US refiner Sunoco is indefinitely idling the main processing units at its refinery in Marcus Hook, Penn., citing deteriorating refining market conditions. The company said it also intends to increase the capacity utilization rate of its Philadelphia refinery and will continue to operate the refinery as long as market conditions warrant.
Shale gas gives rise to era of energy independence
A boom in shale gas output has lifted US gas supplies to record levels, creating an environment to sustain low prices and offering a new era in energy independence.
NPRA praises US transition to net fuels exporter
A new report that says growing US exports of petroleum fuels may enable the country to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products this year for the first time since 1949 is good news for the US, according to National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) president Charles T. Drevna.
Toyo lands project management deal for Venezuela refinery upgrading work
Toyo Engineering, in consortium with a Venezuelan engineering firm Y&V Ingeniería y Construcción, has been awarded a project management consultant contract for a heavy oil upgrading project of Venezuelan national petroleum company PDVSA at its Puerto La Cruz refinery in the State of Anzoátegui. The project aims to satisfy the energy demands of the domestic market in Venezuela and overseas exports.
Optimize capacity for large ethylene oxide reactors
Many factors must be considered in fine-tuning unit design
Selecting the right steam methane reformer: Can vs. box design
Simulating various configurations and cost estimates aids in the selection of a steam methane reformer for hydrogen production
Investment roadmap: Planning for carbon capture and storage
Reducing emissions can be approached with a similar method to any other new capital project
Knowledge transfer: A primer for major capital projects
Improve transfer strategy across the project supply chain to achieve smooth end-user takeover

- Argentina raises biofuel prices for domestic market 7/14
- Technip Energies' develops low-emission furnace design to reduce the carbon footprint of ethylene production 7/14
- Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of U.S. soyoil production next year, USDA says 7/14
- Russia's June seaborne oil product exports down 3.4% m/m 7/14
- Serbia seeks fifth U.S. sanctions waiver for Russian-owned oil firm NIS 7/14
- EIA: U.S. hydrocarbon production supported by export growth in long-term projections 7/14