Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Europe

Small diesel cars seen as vulnerable to European emissions test reforms

Industry officials estimate that 5% of planned diesel auto models might be withdrawn or changed during a first phase of implementation, and more later.

Genomatica, Eni’s Versalis make bio-butadiene via renewable feedstocks

The success of this innovative undertaking results from a newly-developed process for the on-purpose production of butadiene which uses various types of sugars as feedstock.

Shell completes $53-billion acquisition of global LNG leader BG Group

The complex merger is based on a desire to transform Shell into a more specialized group, focused on the rapidly growing LNG market and deepwater oil production.

Libya seizes foreign tanker, alleges fuel smuggling

The vessel, the Captain Khayyam, was stopped in Libyan waters on Friday night 25 miles northwest of Zuwarah city, and was carrying 1.6 million liters of gasoline.

Iran begins ramping up crude oil shipments to Mediterranean refiners

Iran has lowered its prices to refineries along the Mediterranean Sea in an effort to compete with rivals, which had moved to grab Iran's market share when it was driven out of Europe.

Downstream strength enables France’s Total to exceed expectations

The company saw high margins in refining and chemicals and a strong performance in its retail and lubricant businesses. Total fared better than many peers in the quarter, as its extensive downstream business benefited from weak oil prices.

Lanxess, Saudi Aramco to launch rubber venture ARLANXEO this April

LANXESS and Saudi Aramco signed an agreement to create a 50:50 joint venture for the development, production, marketing, sale and distribution of synthetic rubber.

BP announces 3,000 downstream job cuts as earnings decline

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

BP will eliminate 3,000 jobs from its downstream division by the end of 2017. Those reductions are on top of 4,000 cuts in its oil and gas production unit announced last year.

Neste buoyed by high European refining margins

Neste, which has two conventional refineries in Finland and renewable diesel refineries in Singapore and Rotterdam, said its core operating profit in the quarter rose 39% from a year ago.

Spanish refiner Cepsa resumes taking Iranian oil

According to Reuters shipping data, Cepsa has chartered the suezmax Monte Toledo, which will load at Iran's Kharg Island for delivery to the Spanish ports of Huelva and Algeciras.