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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

MarTech Systems, Inc.: Huchler, L. A.
Valero Energy Corp.: Garrison, W.

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

Mustang Engineers, LP: Shah, G. C.

Communicate clearly and explain thoroughly

Pilot-operated safety relief valves: A simple, effective plant upgrade

GE Energy: Scott, J. R.  |  MacKinnon, N.

Replacing spring-loaded valves can help increase efficiency and output

Relief device inlet piping: Beyond the 3 percent rule

Smith & Burgess LLC: D. Smith
Smith and Burgess LLC: Burgess, J.
Smith and Burgess: Powers, C.

With careful consideration, an engineer can be certain that an installation will not chatter