Environment & Safety
BP names new head of safety, operational risk
Bob Fryar, who is executive vice president for production in BP's upstream business, will take up his new position from Feb. 15. The role includes oversight for security. He will take over from Mark Bly, who has headed BP's safety functions since March 2008 and who plans to retire from BP in the summer.
Norway to review security at oil, gas facilities after terrorist attack in Algeria
The comments from the minister of petroleum and energy illustrate how the attack in Algeria, which caused the deaths of at least 37 foreign workers and was of a scale and ferocity not previously seen on oil facilities in that region, has forced a broad reappraisal of energy industry security in other countries.
Jacobs to manage SoCalGas pipeline safety project
Phase 1A of the Southern California company's pipeline safety enhancement program consists of pressure testing 360 miles of existing pipelines; replacing 246 miles of the 3,750 mile pipeline system; and upgrading or replacing 173 mainline valves. The contract value was not disclosed.
Nebraska approves new Keystone XL pipeline route
The approval by the state's governor, a Republican, is one of the last remaining hurdles the pipeline has to clear before getting a final permit from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, the US State Department is expected to release a draft of its own findings in the coming days.
HollyFrontier reportedly hit by fire at Wyoming refinery's delayed coker
A gas leak caused the fire to break at around 12:00 p.m. MST, and refinery operators, the plant's fire brigade and members of Cheyenne's fire department worked to isolate it at the delayed coker unit and to extinguish it by 1:45 p.m. MST on Wednesday, the local news report said.
RWE, Shell launch integrated sulfur, carbon capture plant at UK power station
RWE reported capturing the first tonne of CO2 at the joint demonstration plant. The announcement of ‘first capture’ highlights the successful commissioning of the ground-breaking regenerable carbon capture testing campaign, which will see 90% of CO2 captured and essentially all SO2 captured.
UK rejects requests to stop Arctic oil, gas drilling
The UK government said that while it recognized the risks of drilling for hydrocarbons in the sensitive Arctic region, high environmental and drilling standards, efforts to enhance oil spill prevention and response mechanisms would be more effective than a complete ban.
US issues new emission rules on diesel generators
The new rules will cut costs for diesel-generator users by $139 million a year, while reducing hazardous air pollutants, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollution, the EPA said. Diesel generators emit pollution that can cause cancer and can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases.
Flint Hills reports seal pump fire at Corpus refinery
The shut down process caused a flaring event at the 70,000-bpd East Plant, which was reported to local emergency planners. There were no injuries associated with the event, nor was there a call for the community to take action. The seal pump fire was extinguished quickly, the company said.
Essar extinguishes furnace fire at UK refinery
Supplies to customers are being largely maintained to schedule, and Essar says it has plans in place to ensure that remains the case while repairs are made to the unit. The fire at the Stanlow refinery didn't impact the two main crude distillation units or the residue catalytic cracking unit.
- Uniper and AM Green sign long-term offtake agreement for up to 500,000 tpy of renewable ammonia from India 1/12
- Indonesia president inaugurates Balikpapan refinery upgrade worth $7.4 B 1/12
- Carlyle, Chevron-Quantum partnership among frontrunners for Lukoil assets 1/12
- Brazil's diesel imports hit record in 2025 amid local production decline 1/12
- Vitol to load first diluent cargo under Venezuela supply deal last weekend 1/12
- Maersk explores more ethanol use for green fuel to cut reliance on China 1/12
