Americas
Safety progress in Gulf of Mexico drilling should lead to more US permits - API
The US oil and natural gas industry has significantly improved offshore safety, according to Erik Milito, group director of upstream and industry operations at the American Petroleum Institute (API), in testimony delivered this week to the US Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard.
Nalco merges with cleaning chemicals firm Ecolab in $5.4 billion deal
US water-treatment chemicals company Nalco has agreed to merge with cleaning chemicals firm Ecolab in a deal valued at $5.4 billion. The stock portion of the purchase price is expected to be tax-free to Nalco shareholders.
Dow executive sees natural gas as ‘game changer’ for US manufacturing
George Biltz, Dow Chemical’s vice president of energy and climate change, testified before a US Senate committee about the future of natural gas and the opportunity for a US manufacturing renaissance fueled by competitively-priced natural gas.
China's CNOOC to buy Canadian oil sands firm Opti
Chinese oil giant CNOOC has agreed to acquire Canadian oil sands producer Opti Canada for about $2.1 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Dow Chemical, Mitsui form biopolymers JV in Brazil
US-based Dow Chemical and Japan-based Mitsui & Co. have formed a new joint venture aimed at providing sustainable product solutions to the global high-performance flexible packaging, hygiene and medical markets. This represents the world’s largest biopolymers play and is Dow’s largest investment in Brazil, a country in which Dow has operated successfully for more than 50 years, officials said.
NuStar, Koch reactivate Texas pipeline to transport Eagle Ford shale to Corpus
As part of an agreement with Koch Pipeline Co., NuStar Logistics has reactivated its Pettus South Pipeline to transport Eagle Ford Shale crude oil to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Tyco to acquire US specialty firm Chemguard
Tyco International has reached an agreement to acquire privately-held Chemguard, a leading US provider of firefighting foam concentrates and equipment, foam systems, services and specialty chemicals.
Oil, natural gas drilling in US increased in Q2 - API
US oil and natural gas well drilling activity increased in the 2011 second quarter, according to a quarterly analysis released by the American Petroleum Institute (API). An estimated 10,939 oil wells, natural gas wells and dry holes were completed, up 14% from 2010’s second quarter and up 46% from 2009’s second quarter.
Apache CEO lauds hydraulic fracturing disclosure law in Texas, asks others to follow
A new hydraulic fracturing disclosure law in the state of Texas - signed by Gov. Rick Perry late on Friday - demonstrates that states and oil and gas producers can work together to increase public confidence in the industry while developing abundant and cleaner-burning natural gas resources, according to Apache Corp. CEO G. Steven Farris.
Southern Union completes pipeline work for new Texas NGL plant
Southern Union said it completed the initial phase of construction to isolate its South Texas system to provide bi-directional flow for liquids-rich gas service.

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