Economics
Rare earth dilemma forces catalyst changes
The success from catalysts depends on its structure and composition. Tremendous research has been devoted in fine-tuning the melding of structure and raw material makeup to provide efficient catalyst ..
Shell sells Stanlow refinery to Essar Oil (UK)
Shell has signed a sales and purchase agreement for its 270,000 bpd Stanlow refinery in the UK and certain associated local marketing businesses with Essar Oil (UK) Ltd. for a total expected consideration of some $1.3 billion. Today’s announcement follows a formal offer Essar made for Stanlow in mid-February.
ExxonMobil opens Shiogama terminal in area affected by earthquake, tsunami
ExxonMobil Japan Group has reopened its Shiogama terminal, enabling delivery of increased fuel supplies into the Tohoku area of Northeast Japan, which was affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Shaw issues statement on events in Japan
"On behalf of all Shaw employees around the world, I give our deepest sympathy to the people of Japan. This is an extraordinary tragedy, and we can only imagine how painful and challenging this time is for everyone in the country," said J.M. Bernhard Jr., Shaw's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Foster Wheeler and consortium partners sign GES+ contract with Saudi Aramco
Foster Wheeler AG announced that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group together with the subsidiary’s consortium partners comprising A. Al-Saihati, A. Fattani & O. Al-Othman Consulting Engineering Co., (SOFCON) and Saudi Consolidated Engineering Company- Khatib & Alami (SCEC K&A) have signed a contract with Saudi Aramco for the provision of services associated with Saudi Aramco’s General Engineering Services Plus (GES+) initiative for a duration of five years with options available for extensions.
Improving pH control mitigates corrosion in crude units
Equipment and pipe failures can be avoided through better desalting practices and inhibitor injections
Avoid brittle fracture in pressure vessels
Key points identify effects from auto-refrigeration on steel vessels
Flare stack structure revamp: A case history
An innovative approach was used to repair an older flare structure online without an extensive shutdown
Process safety: Blind spots and red flags
Improving safety for organizations involve more than technological solutions; understanding processes and plant interactions are a must
Case 61: Pressure loss in a reactor
Much information is available from a simple analysis

- Aster Chemicals declares force majeure at Singapore naphtha cracker 8/29
- Orlen signs 1-yr deal with Equinor for supply of 15% oil it uses 8/29
- Novatek partially resumed processing at Ust-Luga complex 8/29
- Phillips 66 to begin winding down Los Angeles-area refinery next week 8/29
- Update: Mexico's Minatitlan refinery back online, Olmeca still down 8/29
- SIBUR produces test batch of first hexane plant in Russia 8/28