Environment & Safety
A biofuels roadmap for Europe to 2030
What will the transport sector use as an energy source in 2030? If you answered gas, electricity or hydrogen, you could be on the right track. These sources are becoming increasingly useful to meet cl..
Integrated management helps compliance with maintenance, startup and shutdown rules
To comply with stricter air quality regulations while allowing for continued growth, hydrocarbon processing facilities must efficiently minimize pollutants without interrupting production (Fig. 1). Tr..
Consider robust tank overfill prevention and independent alarm and gauging systems
Elimination of tank overfills is a significant problem for the petroleum industry. Since most tank receiving operations are manual, the operators rely heavily on tank level gauges and alarms for overf..
HP Automation Strategies: ISO 55000 will up the ante for asset performance management
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you should have heard about the upcoming ISO 55000 Asset Management Systems standard. How will this impact the hydrocarbon processing i..
HP Viewpoint: Methanol: The other transportation fuel
In the US Congress, the Open Fuel Standard Act was introduced to direct automakers to have half of all new cars by the 2017 model year capable of operating on something other than gasoline, with model..
HP News
US senator suggests lifting ban on oil exports    The Trans-Alaskan pipeline terminus in Valdez, Alaska. Photo courtesy of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Senator Lisa Murk..
Investigators: Deficient refinery safety culture to blame in recent blasts
The US report cites a lax safety culture, weak industry standards for safeguarding equipment, and a regulatory system that often emphasizes activities over outcomes.
US energy groups spar over 2014 biofuel mandate
Several leading US trade groups representing the petroleum and biofuels sectors are at odds this week as the EPA prepares to finalize the nation's renewable fuels mandates for 2014.
OSHA to recognize Veolia safety program at Valero refinery in Houston
Veolia's site-based team at the Valero Houston refinery facility provides vacuum and hydro-blasting services. The company has worked on-site at the Houston refinery since 2009.
US safety board to investigate chemical spill into West Virginia river
According to local authorities the leak originated from a storage tank at Freedom Industries. The leak of unknown quantity has left thousands of West Virginia residents without clean drinking water.

- AVTL to develop ammonia terminal in Pipavav, India 6/20
- Chevron seeks buyers for 50% stake in Singapore refinery 6/20
- Asian refiners seek more Mideast oil after spot premiums jump on Israel-Iran conflict 6/20
- Mexican authorities discover clandestine mini-refinery in crackdown of illegal hydrocarbon trade 6/20
- Italy's Eni eyes new unit to manage oil refineries 6/20
- Inatech's Techoil implemented by Flint Hills Resources for a modern, integrated future 6/20