Asia/Pacific
Vietnam strikes deal to build second oil refinery
Plans to build Vietnam's second oil refinery, which comes with a price tag of between $8 billion and $10 billion, has been hampered for years due to financing issues between the Vietnamese government and the two main partners, Japan's Idemitsu Kosan and Kuwait Petroleum.
India's Gulf Oil to buy specialty chemicals company Houghton International
The acquisition will allow Gulf Oil, part of the diversified Hinduja Group, to expand its lubricants and chemicals business. Indian companies have been increasingly looking overseas for acquisitions because red tape, corruption and land acquisition issues often hurt plans to expand at home.
PTT mulls building new China petrochemical plant
A feasibility study will be completed by the end of the year. Incorporated in late 2011 through a merger of PTT Chemical PCL and PTT Aromatics and Refining PCL, PTT Global Chemical has petrochemical capacity of 8.2 million tpy of olefins and aromatics and refining capacity of 280,000 bpd.
Foster Wheeler to consult on China carbon capture, transportation program
The World Bank has launched an analytical and advisory assistance program in China in order to build the country’s understanding of, and capacity for, application of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Foster Wheeler’s scope of work is expected to be completed in June 2013.
Indonesia approves expansion of BP LNG project
The plan calls for building a third liquefaction train at Tangguh, located in far eastern West Papua province, at an estimated cost of $12 billion. The third train would add liquefaction capacity of 3.8 million metric tpy to Tangguh, bringing total capacity to 11.4 million tons, the company said.
JX Nippon to permanently end crude processing at Japan's Muroran refinery
JX said it will keep oil tanks in the site and transport refined products from elsewhere to Muroran to ensure adequate supply. JX will also maintain some secondary units to produce petrochemical products - mainly toluene and xylene - to be used as feedstock for a paraxylene joint venture in South Korea.
Relief valve and flare action items: What plant engineers should know
This article can help the plant engineer review the concerns developed by the design engineer. Implementing field modifications without performing such a review is costly and exposes a facility to unjustified risks.
Surviving and thriving in era of enhanced OSHA PSM audits
The US agency is developing special emphasis programs to target specific industries, notably refining and chemicals, with owners facing rigid inspections and stiffer fines.
Update on the greenhouse gas regulation by the US EPA
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on January 2, 2011. Its long-awaited GHG controls guidance document, PSD and Title V Permitting G..
Consider new technologies to raise diesel yield in bottom-of-barrel products
The debate continues over adding a new delayed coker vs. a residue hydrocracker upstream of an existing delayed coker.
- AVTL to develop ammonia terminal in Pipavav, India 6/20
- Chevron seeks buyers for 50% stake in Singapore refinery 6/20
- Asian refiners seek more Mideast oil after spot premiums jump on Israel-Iran conflict 6/20
- Mexican authorities discover clandestine mini-refinery in crackdown of illegal hydrocarbon trade 6/20
- Italy's Eni eyes new unit to manage oil refineries 6/20
- Inatech's Techoil implemented by Flint Hills Resources for a modern, integrated future 6/20
