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Europe

EU plans to limit use of food-based biofuels

The European Union's climate-change commissioner Connie Hedegaard and energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger said Monday they wanted to cap the share of energy in the transportation sector from food crop-based biofuels - such as rapeseed or palm oil - at current levels.

Nigeria throws doubt on planned $1.7bn refinery

In a statement, Niger Delta Refinery said it has found investors willing to spend $1.7 billion building a refinery in Nigeria. But Nigeria's regulator for petroleum resources said the project still requires government approval, undermining claims that the project was just awaiting completion of "formalities."

IEA sees high refinery activity boosting fuel supply

The Paris-based energy watchdog, which represents major oil-consumer nations, expects refiners to process around 75.7 million bpd of crude in the third and fourth quarters, 1.3 million bpdmore than in the last quarter of 2011. Behind the output rise is unexpectedly high production in developed economies.

Emerson to supply automation for Vopak terminals

Under the agreement, Emerson will design, configure, and implement digital automation systems for all new automation projects at Vopak terminals, as well as provide ongoing support services for new and existing automation systems. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Lotte Chemical awards construction deal to Jacobs for PET project in UK

The new 200,000 tpy PET plant being built at Wilton is located on an integrated PTA and PET site, adjacent to Lotte’s existing PET plant. The addition of the new line fortifies the capacity of Lotte Chemical’s existing T8 facility and supports its transition into a wider range of PET products.

Total, Lukoil select Foster Wheeler for Netherlands hydrocracker upgrade work

The objective of the project is to maximize the throughput of the distillate hydrocracker by debottlenecking the unit’s reaction and fractionation sections of the distillate hydrocracker, the companies said. Foster Wheeler’s scope of work is expected to be completed by June 2014.

Tyco signs global agreement with Shell to provide pressure relief valves

The five-year agreement covers Crosby and Anderson Greenwood direct acting and pilot-operated pressure relief valves, line block relief valves and supporting services for all of Shell's global operations. During 2011, Tyco was also selected by Shell to provide butterfly valves in a similar arrangement.

Uganda seeks advisor to develop planned refinery

The Energy and Minerals Development Ministry said the advisor is expected to help on structuring the project, which is to be built in a phased manner - starting with capacity of 20,000 bpd - over the next three years. It will be upgraded to 60,000, then to 120,000 and later to 180,000 bpd.

Chemtura expands co-catalysts output in Germany

A constant and reliable quality is essential for the performance of MAO used as a co-catalyst in single-site catalyst technologies, say Chemtura officials, who are hoping the expansion will further increase the security of supply for its customers’ engineered-polymer projects.

Foster Wheeler to supply steam reformer to Russia refinery of Gazprom

Foster Wheeler's reformer is characterized by a specific firing arrangement and sloped-wall radiant section design that enable long catalyst tube life and deliver the flexibility to maximize the reformer's operating flexibility. The company's work scope is expected to be completed in November 2013.