Europe
Russia offers new proposal on gas pipelines to EU
The CEO said the document proposed that projects of mutual interest be exempt from EU rules -- which restrict the amount of gas transited by pipeline owners -- until investors see a return on their investment. Gazprom and its partners began construction of the South Stream pipeline this month.
Siemens to cut jobs in German energy sector, cites weak compressor orders
Siemens said last week that it expects the company's energy business to account for more than half of its announced goal of cutting $7.8 billion in costs by 2014. Siemens will adjust capacities at its manufacturing of turbo compressors due to weak order intake at the oil and gas division.
BASF taps Technip, Asahi Kasei for expansion work on German chlorine plant
The work will include a membrane chlorine plant expansion as well as the integration and implementation of existing equipment and facilities. Technip will be responsible for the complete EPC execution of the project, using Asahi Kasei Chemicals' technology and proprietary equipment.
Akzo Nobel sells North American paints unit to PPG
U.S. Deco, as the Akzo Nobel unit is known, was hit hard by the slump in the US construction and housing market, struggling to compete with bigger US rivals, such as PPG and Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams. Akzo Nobel originally acquired the business as part of its 2008 acquisition of UK chemicals group ICI.
KBR licenses ammonia technology to Indorama for grassroots Nigeria project
KBR will license its ammonia technology to Indorama to operate a 2,300 tpd ammonia plant. Indorama’s selection of KBR's technology was based on several factors, including the highest demonstrated plant run lengths and the lowest energy consumption, according to project officials.
Shell to collaborate in FLNG with Technip, Samsung
The agreement between the firms builds on the existing relationship, formed in 2009, to ensure the companies can capitalize on insights gleaned from the design and construction of Shell's Prelude FLNG facility in Australia and expand their technology offerings to the global energy market.
UK government lifts ban on shale gas fracking
Exploratory hydraulic fracturing can go ahead, subject to new controls to mitigate the risks of seismic activity, the government said Thursday. The technique has helped unlock gas reserves trapped in underground shale rock, but critics say the technique risks damage to the environment.
Foster Wheeler wins Norway FEED work for Statoil gas processing plants
The frame agreement includes an option for Statoil to extend the agreement for a further two years and for Foster Wheeler to execute concept studies as well as FEEDs. The value of the agreement was not disclosed, as bookings will be recorded as work is released by Statoil.
IEA sees global crude refining volumes on rise
In its monthly report on the oil sector, the IEA said that the projected daily average for refinery runs was up year-on-year by 950,000 bbl, to 75.3 million bbl. Growth is expected to continue into the first quarter of 2013, when refinery throughput is forecast to be 75.8 million bpd.
Germany pegged for slight 2013 improvement in chemical production, sales
Domestic sales are likely to be stable, but exports to other European countries, particularly in southern Europe, are likely to decline further in 2013. But there is no reason to be overly pessimistic, and there is no sign of a recession in Germany, according to VCI president Karl-Ludwig Kley.
- Veolia and SBM Offshore partner to deploy near-shore, floating desalination units 1/15
- Formosa Petrochemical extends Taiwan cracker shutdown due to weak derivative margins 1/15
- Cargill advances maritime Decarbonization with delivery of first green methanol dual-fuel vessel 1/15
- Ammobia raises new funding to scale low-cost ammonia production technology 1/15
- TotalEnergies and Bapco Energies launch BxT Trading, a new player in the trading of petroleum products in the Middle East 1/14
- Advent Technologies and Airbus expand fuel cell technology for the aviation industry 1/14
