Environment & Safety
Process safety incidents, cognitive biases and critical thinking
Process hazard analysis (PHA) is performed to identify possible hazard scenarios that may occur in a process.
Calculate gasoline RVP seasonal change giveaway economics
Despite high demand and depressed refining margins, the US is in the midst of a glut of gasoline. This predicament is causing a rush to convert summer gasoline into cheaper winter gasoline, in the hope that using cheap butane and higher Reid vapor pressure (RVP) specs will increase refining profits.
Environmental groups sue Trump administration for approving Keystone pipeline
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Several environmental groups filed lawsuits against the Trump administration on Thursday to challenge its decision to approve construction of TransCanada Corp's controversial Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.
Crude spill hits Jose oil terminal in Venezuela
HOUSTON/CARACAS (Reuters) -- Operations at Venezuela's main oil-exporting port Jose were hit by a crude oil spill on Tuesday, union sources and shipping agents told Reuters.
AFPM Annual '17: Daily editions of the official conference newspaper
SAN ANTONIO -- Enclosed are digital copies of all three daily editions of the official conference newspaper of the AFPM 2017 Annual Meeting, held at the Marriott Rivercenter.
Trump's proposal to scrap chemical safety board draws criticism
(Reuters) -- President Donald Trump's proposal to do away with the federal agency that investigates chemical accidents drew sharp criticism from environmental, labor and safety advocates, who said that eliminating the watchdog would put American lives at risk.
A reusable sponge could ‘revolutionize’ oil spill, diesel cleanup
CHICAGO -- Scientists at the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have invented a new foam, called Oleo Sponge, that can be used to clean up oil and diesel spills in water. The material not only quickly adsorbs oil from water, but also is reusable and can pull dispersed oil from the entire water column—not just the surface.
Imperial continues restart after fire, flaring expected
Imperial Sarnia continues to restart units following last week’s operational issue. As a result, visible flaring is expected to continue over the next several days.
Minimize operations risks for increased resilience, safety and reliability
According to the Roman philosopher Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” The reverse also is true, particularly in the context of safety in the process industry.
Alternatives to flare gas recovery for sour refinery flare gas
For many sour gas streams present in a flare header, less expensive options than flare gas recovery may exist. The compressors, liquids management, downstream treating and other systems required for flare gas recovery (FGR) can be expensive to install and/or operate reliably. Some refineries allow the flaring of sweet gases.

- thyssenkrupp Uhde completes pre-FEED for HAMR Energy’s renewable fuels project in Australia 8/21
- Europe distillates-diesel profit margins firm 8/21
- U.S.: Indiana's bp refinery restarts after severe flooding 8/21
- Berlin weighs trusteeship extension for Rosneft's German assets 8/21
- Trump administration to rule on biofuel exemption requests, delay reallocation decision 8/21
- TotalEnergies' Donges refinery fire extinguished 8/21