Europe
Swiss group Glencore to enter Japan LNG market
LNG is traded under either long-term contracts that can span more than two decades or short term contracts of four years or less. Glencore will focus on short-term spot trading, giving it flexibility to switch customers based on prices and increase earnings. The firm will utilize its existing sales network.
Sasol awards engineering work to KBR for synfuels complex in South Africa
The EPCm services to be provided by KBR entail all the management services required in order to restore the integrity of the gaseous oxygen compressor. Financial details were not disclosed by the firms.
Shell lifts force majeure on gas supplies to Nigeria
NLNG, a joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum, Shell, Total, and Eni, had said the disrupted gas supply was the equivalent of 40%-50% of NLNG's usual total gas intake.
Technip wins process design work on new Finland biomass-to-liquid plant
Technip will develop the process design package of the hydrogen production unit of the plant, based on its steam reformer proprietary technology, and will prepare the FEED for the hydrogen production, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and refining units. Work is scheduled to be completed in early 2014.
Phillips 66 to sell Ireland's only oil refinery
Phillips 66 is selling its downstream businesses in Ireland, including the Whitegate refinery in Cork. The move reflects the challenges refiners are facing in Europe, where lower demand for fuel and higher costs of feedstock have put pressure on profits and led some companies to close down plants.
IEA seeks new energy policy to cut GHG emissions
The International Energy Agency called on governments around the world to act to adopt better energy-efficiency measures, cut back on the use of inefficient coal-fired power plants, minimize methane emissions from oil and gas production, and accelerate the removal of fossil fuel subsidies.
Neste Oil to buy algae oils from Cellana to use as biofuels feedstock
The agreement will enable Neste Oil to purchase Cellana's algae oil for use as a feedstock in the future for producing renewable fuel. The deal is contingent on Cellana's future production capacity and on compliance with future biofuel legislation in the EU and US, among other factors.
Japan, Europe launch joint study to cut LNG prices
Supply and demand situations should decide prices, and the two sides will study how they can eliminate oil-link pricing and the possible ramifications by such an elimination, a top Japanese official said.
Troubleshoot and optimize debutanizer columns in hydrocrackers
Saudi Aramco’s Riyadh refinery operates a series-flow, single-stage hydrocracking unit (HCU) in recycle high-conversion mode. The unit underwent a revamp in 1983 and presently processes a mixture..
Case history: New developments with lower catalyst-to-feed ratios for FCC units
A study was conducted using a series of FCC catalysts that included reduced rare-earth content and increased zeolite Y quantity systems. The goal was to raise gasoline yield along with greater yields of olefins.

- Chiyoda, AVEVA forge strategic partnership to power plantOS with AVEVA CONNECT 6/27
- SABIC announces closure of Olefins 6 facility in Teesside, UK 6/27
- LyondellBasell's polyolefin technologies selected by SHCCIG Yulin for petrochemicals complex in China 6/27
- Damaged unit of Iran's South Pars refinery back operating 6/27
- hte conducts research for JGC to advance decarbonization by identifying suitable catalysts for ammonia cracking 6/26
- TES and CPC Finland to develop 500-MW e-NG project in Finland 6/26