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Europe

BP nears deal to sell stake in TNK-BP crude venture to Russia's Rosneft

TNK-BP has been one of BP's best investments, returning $19 billion in dividends on the roughly $8 billion paid for its 50% stake in 2003. The venture accounts for nearly a quarter of BP's reserves and production. But tensions with AAR over strategy and governance have plagued the venture for years.

French court rejects Petit Couronne refinery bids, orders plant liquidation

The court ordered the plant to keep operating for two months and set an additional deadline on Nov. 5 for companies interested in bidding for the assets under liquidation. Petroplus, which operated five refineries in Europe, filed for insolvency at the beginning of the year.

Höegh LNG orders new FSRU at Hyundai shipyard

The vessel will be able to operate as a floating LNG import terminal, as well as an ordinary LNG carrier, according to the company. The floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) will be delivered in the first quarter of 2015. Specifications will be adapted to comply with project requirements.

ITT buys German systems firm Bornemann Pumps

Headquartered in Germany, Bornemann Pumps has strong international-installed base of multi-phase pumping systems, according to ITT officials. The company also serves the industrial, food and pharmaceutical sectors. The deal, valued at €206 million, would be funded from ITT’s cash.

OPEC lowers global oil demand forecasts for 2012

Economic growth is mostly set to come from emerging markets, but these countries are reliant on exports to developed economies, which have performed sluggishly this year. Moreover, improvements in the global economy are dependent on the success of government and central-bank action.

Cedecorp to build second Cameroon oil refinery

The new processing plant will produce between 200 and 300 bpd of refined fuel and Cedecorp will run the refinery for 10 years before handing it over to Cameroon. The project will be entirely funded by Texas firm Refinery Technology, although the cost of the construction wasn't disclosed.

Eni inks deal with Honam Petrochemical to develop Korean elastomers plant

The new site will use technologies of Eni's chemical subsidiary Versalis and will have a production capacity of about 200,000 tpy of elastomers, or elastic polymers, which will be delivered mainly to Asian markets. Start-up is planned for the end of 2015, according to the Rome-based company.

Fire halts production at TNK-BP's Saratov refinery

Mr. Shikhalov said the unit affected by the fire could be repaired and restarted within 24 hours. TNK-BP earlier shut down the refinery, which processes about 7 million tpy of crude. Mr. Shikhalov said the commission would also assess damage and investigate the cause of the fire.

KBR to study Statoil LNG export project in Tanzania

The pre-FEED study is designed to help Statoil further assess the viability of developing an LNG facility to export natural gas from this East African region. The project is expected to be completed during 2013.

Statoil suspends planned Snøhvit LNG expansion

Norwegian oil and gas major Statoil ASA said the owners of the Snøhvit natural gas field have decided to cancel work on a possible increase in gas export capacity from its LNG plant at Melkøya, as current gas finds do not provide the basis for further capacity.