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Europe

Use model-based temperature control for fixed-bed reactors

BASF Corp.: Weatherford, D.
MAVERICK Technologies: Ford, J.

A process unit at BASF’s Geismar, Louisiana manufacturing facility contains a series of six packed-bed reactors filled with a proprietary catalyst. This catalyst promotes an exothermic reaction, ..

Overcome barriers to proper planning and scheduling

T.A. Cook Consultants Inc.: Wanichko, J.

Planning and scheduling must work hand-in-hand for a turnaround, outage or shutdown to be executed to budget and schedule. Unless proper diligence is given up-front to planning and scheduling, no amou..

Technip, JGC win engineering work for Yamal LNG venture in Russian Arctic

Technip and JGC Corp. will build a plant of three liquefied natural gas trains with an annual capacity of 16.5 million metric tons. Yamal LNG didn't disclose details of the consortium's winning bid.

EU sees 2020 clean energy target as unachievable

"While progress has been made until 2010, there are reasons for concern about future progress," the European Commission said. "Current policies alone will be insufficient to trigger the required renewable energy deployment in a majority of member states. Hence, additional efforts will be needed."

Valero awards engineering pact to Foster Wheeler for Pembroke refinery in UK

Foster Wheeler will provide home office front-end engineering design and detailed engineering design services to support new development and modification projects at the Pembroke refinery and other UK facilities. Terms were not disclosed. Valero acquired the Pembroke refinery in 2011.

UK's Centrica signs deal to import US natural gas

The contract with Cheniere Energy Partners will see Centrica import 1.75 millio tpy of gas, enough to power around 1.8 million UK homes, according to the firm. It is the first such deal between a US supplier and a UK utility. The deal is subject to Cheniere getting the necessary regulatory approval.

Huntsman plans expansion, upgrade for MDI plants in Louisiana, Netherlands

The Geismar capacity will be increased to 500,000 tpy, up from 450,000 tpy, through improved process technology developed by Huntsman. The expansion leverages the advantages of the Geismar site, with its access to US shale gas, strong logistics base and excellent integration, the company said.

Russia, China to sign memorandum on gas supply

The deal could potentially be reached to deliver 38 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China beginning in 2018, the person said. The two sides are still negotiating on price, said a person familiar with the talks.

EU takes Poland, Cyprus to court for not enforcing renewable energy rules

"The European Commission is referring Poland and Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose" the legislation, the commission said in a statement. It also proposed fines for the infringement -- 133,228.80 euros per day for Poland, 11,404.80 euros daily for Cyprus.

BG finalizes long-term LNG supply deal with India

Under the agreement, BG will supply state-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corp., or GSPC, with up to 2.5 million metric tpy of LNG, concluding an initial agreement announced back in September 2011. Analysts estimate the 20-year gas contract could be worth around $20 billion.