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Crude oil

Petrobras halts some Reduc refinery ops after fire

Brazilian state-controlled oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro, or Petrobras, said it halted operations at a distilling unit at its Duque de Caxias, or Reduc, oil refinery in Rio de Janeiro state Monday due to a small fire. The incident won't cause any shortfall in products output.

OPEC agrees to accomodate rising Libya oil output

Libya's oil minister Abdurahman Benyezza said that there is a "gentlemen" agreement inside OPEC to accommodate the country's crude oil as production recovers. Libya is currently producing over 1 million bpd of crude oil and expects to boost output to pre-war levels of about 1.6 million bpd by mid-2012.

US energy R&D spending forecast up 23% for 2012

Energy-related research and development (R&D) sponsored by US manufacturers and technology firms will reach nearly $6.7 billion in 2012, up 23.1% from 2011, according to a forecast from research group Battelle. Overall, global spending by energy-related companies is expected to grow by 7.8% to reach $17.9 billion.

US fuel prices may become volatile after Northeast refinery closures

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) warns that a lack of supply flexibility could lead to price spikes in early 2012.

ExxonMobil to consolidate businesses of fuels marketing, lubricants

The ExxonMobil board of directors will approve the consolidation of ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Co. and ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Co. into ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Co., effective February 1, 2012.

PBF plans $1bn Delaware City refinery expansion, includes new hydrocracker

US-based refiner PBF Energy and affiliate Delaware City Refining Co. on Thursday announced the $1 billion PBF clean fuels project, which includes the construction of a mild hydrocracker and hydrogen plant to be built at their Delaware City refinery. When completed, it will process streams from both the Delaware City refinery and PBF’s Paulsboro, N.J. refinery.

US coal industry sees limited 2012 upside - report

Softer export markets and natural gas displacement will outweigh benefits of lower stocks and consolidation for US coal producers in 2012, according to a new report. Domestic steam coal demand is in slow decline, and Fitch Ratings says it expects supply to remain disciplined.

Enterprise, Enbridge seek shipper commitments for US Seaway pipeline expansion

Enterprise Products and Enbridge will hold concurrent open seasons from January 4 through February 10, 2012, to solicit capacity commitments from shippers for an expansion of the Seaway pipeline and an extension of the pipeline into the Port Arthur/Beaumont refining market. ConocoPhillips was the previous owner of Enbridge's 50% stake.

Magellan, Copano plan Eagle Ford condensate line

Copano Energy and Magellan Midstream have formed a joint venture to deliver Eagle Ford Shale condensate to Corpus Christi, Texas. The initial capacity of the pipeline will be 100,000 bpd.

Foster Wheeler wins EPCm for BP gas separation project in Scotland

Foster Wheeler has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) contract for BP Exploration’s enhanced gas separation project (EGSP) in Scotland. The project is expected to be completed in 2013.