Environment & Safety
EPA chief Lisa Jackson to step down from US post
Republicans and industry groups often criticized Ms. Jackson, saying her agency's regulations were killing jobs and raising uncertainty for business. A coal industry representative that Ms. Jackson "presided over some of the most expensive and controversial rules in agency history."
Yemen LNG repairs gas pipeline after sabotage
The 320-kilometer LNG terminal, most recently hit on December 16, has been repeatedly attacked by suspected al Qaeda-linked militants. Yemen began exporting LNG from the Balhaf terminal in 2009. French group Total has an almost 40% interest in the liquefaction plants.
Reliance Industries controls Jamnagar refinery fire at west India complex
Reliance, India's largest private refiner by capacity, has two refineries in the Jamnagar complex in the western state of Gujarat. This refinery is the older one and supplies products to the local market, while a new 580,000-bpd refinery is focused on exports. The crude unit will likely be restarted in two days.
KBR wins Kentucky engineering work to install air emissions control systems
The project is part of Kentucky Utilities’ investment plan to install environmental upgrades to reduce air emissions across its generating fleet, including a $600 million investment for the addition of air emissions controls at its Ghent plant. Each system includes a pulse-jet fabric filter to capture particulate matter.
Emerson unveils valve, instrument recycling plan
Using bins provided by Emerson, the recycling effort provides free pick up and shipment from the plant site to the Instruments & Valve Services recycle center, rapid evaluation of valve and instrument cores, and prompt payment with an itemized transaction report.
Chevron offers $149 million to settle civil lawsuits over Brazil oil spill
The deal would settle two civil lawsuits seeking more than $20 billion in damages, although a criminal case involving Chevron and others will continue, the prosecutor's office said. The deal can be approved if regulators confirm that the spill did not cause any environmental damage.
UK government lifts ban on shale gas fracking
Exploratory hydraulic fracturing can go ahead, subject to new controls to mitigate the risks of seismic activity, the government said Thursday. The technique has helped unlock gas reserves trapped in underground shale rock, but critics say the technique risks damage to the environment.
Natural gas pipeline explosion injures two, destroys homes in West Virginia
The explosion of a NiSource 20-inch transmission line destroyed five homes and severely damaged others in Kanawha County, about 15 miles north of state capital Charleston. The pipeline has been shut off, allowing emergency crews to approach the scene for further investigation.
Foster Wheeler wins top UK management awards for safety, environment
The winners of the Sword of Honour were recognized by the British Safety Council as having exemplary health and safety systems that are among the best in the world. Meanwhile, The Globe of Honour award scheme was launched to recognize exemplary environmental management.
China calls on West to reduce GHG emissions
Poorer countries argue the West should lead from the front in cutting greenhouse gases because it is largely responsible for the heating of the planet since industrial times. China, the world's top polluter, says it aims to cut its emissions by between 40% and 45% by 2020.
- 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
