Europe
Total sees improving European refining margins
The $38.20/ton margin nearly doubled the $20.90/ton figure in the first quarter of this year, Total said in its quarterly chart of main indicators. European refining economics have been relatively weak for years, but margins have greatly improved in recent months amid the closure of several facilities.
INEOS licenses PE, PP technology to petrochemical project of Russia's Rosneft
All VNHK units will incorporate INEOS’ polymer technology advances and will ensure a competitive advantage for petrochemical complex customers in both domestic and global markets. Engineering work is now underway.
Global refined oil product demand to lag supply over next two years - IEA
More than 1 million bpd of new refining capacity is likely to come online this year, and a further 1.3 million bpd in 2013, compared with 400,000 bpd in 2011. The additions to capacity will grossly outpace demand growth for oil products, which the IEA estimates will average 800,000 bpd this year.
Statoil shuts Norway LNG plant after water leak
Statoil said production at the plant - the world's most northern and Europe's first LNG export facility - was halted after water leaked into gas dryers, with water ingression causing ice formation in the cooling circuit.
German chemical industry raises outlook for sales, producer prices in 2012
For 2012, the group expects prices to rise 2%, up from a May estimate of 1%, and sales to rise 2%, also up from 1%. Domestic demand and orders from the US and Asia should help offset weak European demand.
Shell to buy Norwegian LNG fuel supplier Gasnor
Gasnor operates in Norway’s small-scale LNG sector, supplying LNG as fuel to industrial and marine customers and operating an end-to-end supply chain. Assets include three small-scale production plants and distribution items including two tanker ships, a fleet of trucks and a terminal network.
Gunvor to raise $500mn credit for Belgian refinery crude oil, feedstock
The funds will be used to finance the purchase of crude oil and feedstock for the refinery. Cyprus-based Gunvor, one of the world's largest independent traders of commodities, bought the Antwerp refinery from insolvent Swiss-based refiner Petroplus Holdings AG earlier this year.
Gevo, Beta agree to develop integrated process for cellulosic isobutanol
The deal also anticipates commercialization of the technology upon project success, which could enable renewably-sourced, competitively-priced jet fuel as well as other chemicals and fuels made from isobutanol.
BP dragged into UK bribery probe over contractor
Investigators from the Serious Fraud Office have contacted BP over bribery allegations relating to engineering projects one of its contractors is undertaking in Azerbaijan, the Telegraph reports.
Aramco ships Europe fuel oil to Red Sea, eyes more
Saudi Aramco is shipping fuel oil from Northwest Europe to the Red Sea to meet Saudi Arabia's peak summer demand, taking advantage of arbitrage economics that have been favorable up until recently.
- OCI Global completes $1.9-B sale of OCI Methanol to Methanex Corporation 6/30
- Partnership for sustainability: Pekutherm and POLYVANTIS launch circular economy initiative 6/30
- Univation Technologies and C3 AI collaborate to deliver enterprise AI solutions for advanced predictive maintenance across the global petrochemical industry 6/30
- Lloyd’s Register signs strategic collaboration with DAI Infrastruktur for green ammonia Project Ra 6/30
- Alleima expands product portfolio for the urea industry with SAF™ 2906 6/30
- UK's Lindsey oil refinery insolvent, 420 jobs at risk 6/30
