Environment & Safety
HP Viewpoint: Refiners have a new learning curve with shale oil
We’ve all heard the news reports: “Shale resource developments have the potential to make the US energy independent for the first time since 1952.” The long-term impact of shale resourc..
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 71: Statistical visual data can be useful in troubleshooting—Part 2
In “Case 71: Statistical visual data can be useful in troubleshooting—Part 1,” the editorial focused on how taking data and analyzing it could determine the cause for high reject rates...
HP Industry Perspectives: EU leans forward on clean-fuel strategies
In late January 2013, the European Commission (EC) announced ambitious measures to ensure the buildup and standardization of alternative fueling stations across Europe. Much of the earlier EC policy i..
HP Impact: Chevron hit with hefty penalties for Richmond refinery fire
The California Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) issued 25 citations against Chevron USA, with proposed penalties totaling nearly $1 million, for state safety st..
HP Innovations: Innovations
Coating system gets European patentHempel’s Ultra-High Solids and Speed (UHSS), a two-coat protective paint system certified for C5-M and C4 corrosive environments, has been granted a patent from..
Germany debates fracking as energy costs rise
This week, the government unveiled a proposal that it hopes can bridge the gap between pro-fracking advocates in industry and environmentally conscious voters. Through a change to existing laws, the government is proposing banning fracking near any water supply.
Sunoco Logistics cleaning East Texas pipeline spill
The cause of the spill is being investigated. The oil leaked out of the pipeline Saturday into Otter Creek in Tyler County, Sunoco Logistics said. The oil did not reach the Neches River, which is connected to the creek, according to Tyler County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Freeeman.
Marathon reports fire at Galveston Bay refinery
A Texas City Emergency Management alert originally stated that a tank was on fire at the 451,000-bpd refinery. But a later alert stated that a pump is on fire next to a tank. Shane Pochard, a spokesman for Marathon, said the fire has not caused any injuries nor had any offsite impact.
Safety consultant accuses BP management of 'classic failure' in Gulf spill
Robert Bea, a University of California Berkeley engineering professor who has worked as a safety consultant for BP starting in 2001, said he sent many warnings to the company's management in the years before the accident about how cost-cutting would hurt the safety of operations.
ExxonMobil wins court reversal of $1bn in damages from Maryland gas leak
The Maryland Court of Appeals reversed more than $1 billion in punitive damages, awarded by a jury in 2011, adding that residents and business who accused the energy giant of fraud hadn't sufficiently proven their case. The court also reversed a large number of compensatory damages.
- CNOOC completes construction on $2.9-B, 1.8-MMtpy integrated complex in east China 8/22
- bp's Whiting refinery (U.S.) continues to flare days after severe thunderstorm 8/22
- Bachmann introduces latest version M-Target for Simulink 8/22
- U.S. to rule on biofuel waivers, but big oil refiners may need to wait 8/22
- Chinese independent refiner Hongrun buys Canadian, Brazilian crude 8/22
- Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia 8/22
