Crude oil
European Union imposes ban on Iran crude imports
The 27-nation European Union agreed on Monday to block all crude-oil imports from Iran, as it steps up pressure on the Gulf nation to scale back its nuclear-enrichment program. The Council also agreed to freeze assets of the Iranian central bank within the EU.
Global oil, gas leaders see higher 2012 spending as industry confidence rises - poll
Oil and gas industry leaders have forecast improved performance and higher levels of capital expenditure in 2012 despite concerns over global economic instability, according to a new report on the future of the sector. North America is emerging as the area with the greatest opportunities in 2012, the poll shows.
Petroplus looks to sell France refinery, mulls additional sales
Petroplus plans to sell its Petit Couronne refinery in France amid credit woes. It is also examining options for oil refineries in Antwerp, Belgium, and Cressier, Switzerland.
Keyera acquires Canadian iso-octane plant from Neste Oil, ChevronTexaco
Competition authorities in the US and Canada have approved the sale of Neste Oil's 50% holding in an iso-octane production plant in Edmonton, Canada, to Canadian-based Keyera. The announcement was first made on December 8, 2011.
US fuel demand tanks amid low gasoline use - API
US petroleum deliveries in December 2011 were down 5.9% from December 2010, declining to an average of 18.6 million bpd to hit their lowest December level in 15 years. Overall, total petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) fell 1.2% in 2011 to an average of 18.9 million bpd.
US oil groups ask EPA to cut cellulosic biofuel rule
The NPRA, API and Western States Petroleum Association jointly filed a petition Friday requesting that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waive the 2011 cellulosic biofuel volume mandate in its entirety. The groups claim no cellulosic biofuel was actually produced last year.
Keystone XL ruling shows need to diversify energy exports - Canada minister
Obama's decision to deny TransCanada a permit for Keystone XL underlines the need for Canada to diversify its energy exports, with particular focus on China, the official says.
CNPC inks deal with Shell, Qatar for China refinery, petrochemical project
China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) said Thursday that it signed a deal with Qatar Petroleum and Shell to build a refining complex in the eastern Chinese city of Taizhou. The project will import condensate and raw materials to produce ethylene and other petrochemical products.
CB&I awarded oil sands expansion work in Canada
CB&I has won a contract, valued in excess of $750 million, by Imperial Oil Resources for work on its Kearl expansion project in Alberta, Canada. Work scope includes the engineering, procurement and module assembly and construction of a second bitumen extraction plant.
IEA lowers forecast for China oil demand, output
The IEA said Wednesday that it would slightly lower its 2012 forecast for Chinese oil demand and output due to a slowing domestic economy and the unexpected decline of both onshore and offshore production. But China's crude runs may remain high due to new refineries in Yinchuan and Beihai.
- Evonik inaugurates its 100,000-tpy alkoxides plant in Singapore 8/27
- Borouge collaborates with Yokogawa on autonomous AI control room 8/27
- Vietnam to make switch to ethanol-blended fuel in move to boost U.S. imports 8/27
- Sherwin-Williams launches single-coat high-performance Acrolon 680 for industrial and marine assets 8/27
- Trump tariffs force much-needed petrochemicals contraction 8/27
- First of five pyrolysis reactors delivered to the tire recycling plant in Uddevalla 8/27
