Americas
US petroleum demand rises in April as distillate gains offset lower gasoline use - API
A strong increase in distillate fuel demand this April over a year ago drove an overall rise in petroleum product demand, offsetting a decline in gasoline demand, the American Petroleum Institute (API) trade group said on Friday.
US chemical production increased in April across all regions - ACC
US chemical production rose in April by 0.3% month on month, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) said, returning to growth after a flat March. Production increased in all regions, with the largest gains in the Northeast, Ohio Valley, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Employees for engineering services firm MISTRAS set safety milestone at Shell US refinery
For the 14th consecutive year, employees with engineering services firm MISTRAS have gone without a recordable injury while working at the Shell Oil refinery in Martinez, Calif., officials said on Friday.
Flood disrupts operations at Dresser-Rand plant in Wellsville, New York
A creek adjacent to Dresser-Rand's Wellsville facility in New York overflowed its banks and flooded the manufacturing portion of the facility with up to two feet of water, mud and silt in various parts of the building, the company said on Friday afternoon.
Global chemical M&A activity jumps sharply in Q1
Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the global chemicals industry jumped significantly in the first quarter of 2011 when compared to the same period of 2010, according to a study from advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Dresser-Rand says new centrifugal compressor represents major advance in technology
In what it claims is a major advance in centrifugal compressor technology, Dresser-Rand said on Thursday that it successfully engineered, manufactured and tested the world's highest-density centrifugal compressor for re-injection service.
IEA warns that high oil prices are hurting economy, seeks additional supply for refiners
The governing board of the International Energy Agency (IEA) says it has serious concerns that that the rise in oil prices is constraining the global economic recovery. In a statement issued on Thursday, the board said there was a “clear, urgent need for additional supplies on a more competitive basis to be made available to refiners to prevent a further tightening of the market”, particularly given the seasonal increase in demand from May to August.
Fuel prices unlikely to deter Memorial Day travel – US auto group
The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the approaching Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight increase of 0.2% – or 100,000 travelers – from the 34.8 million people who traveled one year ago.
US predicts active 2011 hurricane season, may threaten Gulf refiners, petchems
The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued on Thursday from the US National Weather Service, potentially threatening refining and petrochemical operations along the US Gulf coast and eastern seaboard.
US Senate blocks two oil bills as Democrats, GOP clash over gas prices
Two oil-related bills were blocked this week in the US Senate along partisan lines, as Democrats and Republicans continue to propose differing solutions to reduce retail fuel prices.
- EU warns of prolonged energy shock, forced cuts if Iran war continues 4/15
- Europe's summer flights at risk as Iran war exposes refining decline 4/15
- Slovak refiner says no deal yet on Adria pipeline tests 4/15
- Japan's weekly gasoline prices largely flat as subsidies offset price spikes 4/15
- Botswana has not requested stake in Lobito refinery, Angola's Sonangol says 4/15
- Tasnee announced delay to SEPC's ethylene/polyethylene plant expansion project 4/15
