Crude oil
Obama rejects TransCanada pipeline Keystone XL
The Obama administration on Wednesday formally rejected TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline expansion. However, TransCanada and other companies will be allowed to reapply with an alternate route going through Nebraska, where an important regional aquifer is located.
TransCanada will reapply for Keystone XL permit
TransCanada said late Wednesday that it had received the US Department of State's decision that the Presidential Permit for its proposed Keystone XL pipeline has been denied. However, the company will reapply for a permit and hopes to start up pipeline service as soon as 2014.
UAE, China ink energy cooperation agreements
United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that its Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., or ADNOC, signed an energy cooperation agreement with China National Petroleum Corp., or CNPC. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as petrochemicals, technical services, engineering and construction services.
Sunoco completes spinoff of SunCoke Energy unit
US-based transportation fuels firm Sunoco completed the spinoff of its metallurgical coke manufacturing business SunCoke Energy. The planned separation was first announced in January 2011.
Oil India plans to buy up to $200mn in US, Australia shale gas assets
State-run Oil India plans to buy shale gas assets worth up to $200 million and is scouting for potential acquisitions in the US and Australia as it seeks to gain expertise in the field ahead of India's plans to auction blocks in the country, a senior executive said Monday. India is seeking to tap into its shale gas resources to meet rising gas demand from power plants and factories.
Origin Oil partners with US DoE on conversion of algae into renewable crude
Renewables firm OriginOil plans to co-develop an integrated system with the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for direct conversion of raw algae into a renewable crude oil that can be used by existing petroleum refineries.
EU remains uncertain on timing of Iran oil embargo
A European Union embargo on Iranian oil could be enacted after a six-month grace period under one of the options being considered, but there is still no consensus on the matter. EU diplomats familiar with the discussions said Friday that while six months is one of the possible options, there is no convergence yet.
Chevron warns of weakening downstream results
Chevron expects 2011 fourth-quarter downstream earnings to be down significantly from the third quarter amid lower margins and refinery input volumes. In the US, Gulf coast refining margins fell substantially in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, the company said.
Samsung lands EPC contract for clean diesel unit at Qatar refinery
South Korea's Samsung Engineering has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction contract for a clean diesel-producing unit at the Qatargas-operated Laffan refinery, as the Gulf state looks to increase refined product exports. The project will come on-stream in the 2014 first quarter.
European refinery shutdowns open doors for Indian diesel exports
Indian refiners are likely to increase their presence in Europe's diesel market as smaller, less complex European refineries come offline amid weak refining margins.
- 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
