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Europe

HP Reliability: Expect adversity, but plan for success

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Consider that a major oil refinery was planning a substantial modernization project in 2008. Energy efficiency gains and the ability to process a more readily available crude slate were key motivating..

HP Integration Strategies: Virtualization goes mainstream

ARC Advisory Group: Reynolds, P.

Virtualization, a computing approach that decouples hardware and software, is rapidly gaining traction in the traditionally conservative automation and control industry. With its roots in the informat..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 73: Useful troubleshooting tools to keep at hand

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Over the past 45 years, the author has pursued troubleshooting machinery and pressure vessels. It has also been the subject of this column. The troubleshooting tools used in this endeavor have been an..

HP Impact: Global distribution of natural catastrophes in 2012

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes worldwide, 93% of which were weather-related disasters. In terms of overall and insured losses ($170 billion and $70 billion, respectively), 2012 did not f..

HP Construction Profile: European refiner makes significant processing advancements

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

At the Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi refinery, Eni is moving forward with leading-edge technological breakthroughs to produce “clean” transportation fuels. This refinery has a balanced 190,00..

Use wireless valve-monitoring technology to your advantage

Pentair Valves & Controls: Sequeira, T.

Financial pressures, combined with increasing safety and environmental requirements, have resulted in a significant increase in the need for valve-position monitoring in industrial plants. However, th..

Nigeria LNG declares force majeure on exports as blockade continues

The blockade, which has prevented liquefied natural gas tankers from accessing Nigeria LNG's loading terminal on Bonny Island since mid June, is the result of a long-standing dispute over the payment of duties on freight and exports between the company and the Nigerian Maritime Administration.

Israeli energy groups agree to build Cyprus plant for LNG exports

The plant and export facilities would be for gas from a partially Israeli-owned Cypriot field, but could also be expanded for processing other gas, including Israel's large offshore Leviathan reserve, according to a statement from Delek Group, which owns stakes in the Cypriot field and Israeli fields.

UK shale gas potential doubles from prior estimate

The UK is promoting the development of its shale gas reserves in the hope that it can replicate the success achieved in the US, where prices of gas have tumbled thanks to a boom in its shale industry.

Nigeria LNG vessels blockaded in tax levy dispute

The LNG Co., a joint venture between Nigeria's state oil company, Shell, Total and Eni, is at loggerheads with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency over the payment of maritime taxes. A spokesman confirmed that the agency was preventing the movement of Nigeria LNG vessels.