Environment & Safety
IEA unveils 2011 World Energy Outlook, says policy changes needed to cut emissions
Without a bold change of policy direction, the world will lock itself into an insecure, inefficient and high-carbon energy system, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned as it launched the 2011 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO). "Governments need to introduce stronger measures to drive investment in efficient and low-carbon technologies," said IEA executive director Maria van der Hoeven.
Nalco wins top safety award at Louisiana chem site
Sustainability services firm Nalco said that its plant in Garyville, La. was honored by the Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA) with a 2011 SAFE (Serious About Fostering Excellence) Award for facility's environmental and safety performance and community outreach efforts.
US extends offshore leases for deepwater drilling
The Obama administration recently extended nearly 1,400 deepwater oil and gas drilling leases in an effort to offset production delays caused by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the subsequent five-month ban on new offshore drilling.
BP inks $50mn settlement to resolve claims from Texas City refinery blast
BP has agreed to pay $50 million to the state of Texas to resolve air pollution allegations related to the March 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery, according to a statement from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. An explosion and related fires erupted at BP’s Texas City refinery in March 2005, claiming 15 lives and injuring more than 170 workers.
GE launches innovative heat recovery system for Canada complex
The world's first commercial ORegen waste heat recovery system, an innovative technology developed by GE Oil & Gas, enables a gas turbine to produce extra power without any additional emissions or fuel consumption and no water use.
Mitigate refinery influent water supply contamination
Resolving critical water supply and quality issues by managing risk and implementing successful solutions
Spent caustic management: Remediation review
Understanding of waste components needed for proper spent caustic disposal
Tips on communicating LOPA results to management
Communicate clearly and explain thoroughly
Pilot-operated safety relief valves: A simple, effective plant upgrade
Replacing spring-loaded valves can help increase efficiency and output
Relief device inlet piping: Beyond the 3 percent rule
With careful consideration, an engineer can be certain that an installation will not chatter

- 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