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Americas

Siemens acquires minority stake in US solar firm Semprius

Siemens has acquired a minority share (approximately 16%) in US pioneering solar company Semprius. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Semprius develops high concentrating photovoltaic (HCPV) modules.

US law firms to investigate claims against merger of Energy Transfer, Southern Union

US-based Briscoe Law Firm, founded by a former state prosecutor and enforcement attorney for the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and the securities litigation law firm of Powers Taylor are investigating potential legal claims against the board of directors of Southern Union related to the company’s takeover by Energy Transfer.

Delek refinery in Arkansas returns to normal rates as pipeline resumes crude shipments

Delek US Holdings, a diversified energy company with assets in the petroleum refining, marketing and retail industries, said production levels had returned to normal rates at its refinery in El Dorado, Arkansas.

IEA sees increasing natgas use, warns of high oil prices curbing demand

Annual growth in oil demand could average 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) between now and 2016, while natural gas demand could grow by around 500 billion cubic meters – around 2.5 times Russia’s current gas exports – during the same time, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) medium-term oil and gas market outlook.

US law firm to investigate Dow Chemical over alleged pension changes

US class-action law firm Hagens Berman says it will investigate potential claims against Dow Chemical after the company allegedly made substantive changes to its employee pension plan, actions which may violate US federal law.

Energy Transfer to buy Southern Union for $4.2bn, form leading US pipeline company

Energy Transfer (ETE) and Southern Union (SUG) have entered into a merger agreement whereby ETE will buy Southern Union for $7.9 billion, including about $3.7 billion in debt, creating one of the top integrated midstream companies in the US natural gas pipeline industry.

Gevo, Redfield JV to retrofit US ethanol plant to isobutanol

Renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels firm Gevo has formed a joint venture with Redfield Energy to retrofit an existing ethanol plant in Redfield, S.D., into an isobutanol plant with an expected production capacity of 38mn gal/year.

Shaw completes new natgas-fired US power plant

The Shaw Group said Wednesday that it completed construction of a new, 500-megawatt nominal combined-cycle natural gas-fired plant for NV Energy at the existing Harry Allen Generating Station north of Las Vegas.

Multi-Chem reports fire at Louisiana storage site, no one injured

Multi-Chem reported a fire that spread to storage containers at its New Iberia oilfield chemicals site in Louisiana at 3:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Multi-Chem said it contacted local and state authorities who are coordinating the emergency response. The company accounted for all facility personnel and there were no injuries reported.

Air Liquide inks deal to supply Valero refineries in Texas with hydrogen

Air Liquide has signed a long-term agreement to supply hydrogen to two Valero refineries in Texas, one in Texas City and the other in Port Arthur.