Europe
France in talks with IEA over oil stocks release
The French government is in consultation with the IEA on whether to release oil stocks in moves to stem high crude prices. France supports a proposal to tap reserves and is also trying to convince producer nations to put more oil on the market to help combat speculation pushing prices higher.
IEA data show high oil costs hurting EU consumers
Early data show that high oil prices in Europe have already started to eat into consumer spending in other areas and could push the region back into recession, says the chief economist of the IEA, Fatih Birol. Energy costs could eat up almost double their typical share of Europe's income this year.
Alfa Laval to supply plate heat exchangers for Brazil oil company
Sweden-based Alfa Laval has won a plate heat exchanger order from a major oil company in Brazil. The Alfa Laval plate heat exchangers will be installed at offshore production platforms where they will be used for heat recovery in the main separation process, the company said.
Global refining catalyst market driven by growth in hydroprocessing
The market improvement is led by demand for cleaner fuels, increasing use of heavier and dirtier feedstocks and additions to refining capacity, a new study says.
Sasol finds alternate oil supply amid Iran sanctions
South Africa's Sasol said Thursday it has found suppliers to replace the crude oil it normally sources from Iran as the West imposes trade restrictions and sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Sasol relies on Iranian oil imports for about 20% of its crude requirement, or 12,000 bpd, at its Natref refinery.
Refining deals up sharply in 2011 amid shedding of global assets
Refiners realigned their corporate strategies in 2011, with many shedding refining assets and others choosing to exit the sector altogether, according to a new report.
Chemtura raises capacity in Italy for polyurethane prepolymers
Chemtura is increasing its production capacity for its polyurethane prepolymers at the company’s Latina Scalo facility in Italy. The prepolymers are used in a multitude of industrial applications and markets where high wear resistance, toughness and durability are essential requirements.
US to exempt EU, Japan on Iran oil sanctions
The US has decided to grant exemptions to Japan and 10 European Union (EU) countries under a new set of Iran oil sanctions, a key lawmaker said. Aimed at shutting down Iran's nuclear program, the sanctions target financial institutions that do business with Iran's Central Bank, a main conduit for Iran's oil sales.
Shaw, Total form global alliance on polystyrene
The Shaw Group said Monday that it formed an exclusive alliance with Total Petrochemicals to jointly market and license Total’s polystyrene technology on a worldwide basis. Shaw has had a similar alliance with Total Petrochemicals for styrene monomer, the primary feedstock for polystyrene, for 15 years.
Eni sees 2012–2015 output growth above 3% per year on higher capex
Eni SpA, Italy's biggest oil and natural gas company by volume, said Thursday that its new, four-year, EUR59.6 billion investment plan estimates average annual hydrocarbon production growth of more than 3% through 2015.
- Studi Tecnologie Progetti S.p.A. signs agreement to upgrade Attock refinery in Pakistan for $600 MM 7/1
- Maire's NEXTCHEM awarded engineering contract for Pacifico Mexinol's $3.3-B, 2.1-MMtpy low-carbon methanol project 7/1
- Axens, IFPEN, and SMS group Launch Carboverseo™: Essential Technology for e-fuels deployment 7/1
- BASF closes purchase of DOMO Chemicals’ shares in Alsachimie JV 7/1
- deugro completes another equipment shipment for INEOS' Project One project in Belgium 7/1
- Shell renews contract with Cyberhawk, enabling a global visualization and data integration platform across its portfolio 7/1
