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Europe

HB Fuller to close five adhesives plants in Europe

HB Fuller will close five manufacturing facilities in Europe and cut about 100 jobs in sales, finance, customer service and research and development (R&D). The facilities scheduled for closure are: Chatteris, UK; Pirmasens, Germany; Vigo, Spain; Borgolavezzaro, Italy; and Wels, Austria.

Gunvor to buy idled Petroplus refinery in Germany

The trader says its purchase of the 100,000 bpd Ingolstadt refinery is in line with an infrastructure investment program and a company strategy to become vertically integrated.

Petroplus refinery in UK poised to shut down after no buyer found

The permanent closure of Petroplus’ Coryton refinery in England has become more likely after the plant's administrator said Monday it has been unable to sell or refinance it, but the UK government said any closure was unlikely to result in fuel shortages. The refinery will be idled in a matter of days.

Shale boom at risk over environment concerns

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

The IEA report shows how the shale gas industry, which has dramatically altered the US energy landscape, stands at a tipping point to determine how it spreads worldwide.

BP confirms more limited scope for key European natural gas pipeline

UK energy giant BP confirmed that a key European pipeline project to import natural gas from Azerbaijan, called Nabucco, will be of much more limited scope than hoped and reach only Europe's border with Turkey. The decisions mark the end of a key strategic initiative in the region.

Eastman Chemical wins EU approval for Solutia buy

The European Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition of Solutia by Eastman Chemical, the competition watchdog group said. The merger is not expected to result in any substantial change in the markets concerned since Solutia is not a customer of Eastman in the EEA.

US refiners set to begin exports to West Africa

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

The US industry will soon expand its exporting to include gasoline sales to West Africa, predicts Valero CEO Bill Klesse. "That's something we haven't seen before," he said.

UK investor warns shale gas industry on emissions

One of Europe's largest institutional investors warned the shale gas industry to do more to prevent the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane during drilling, which is undermining its basis as a cleaner alternative to coal. Comments were directed primarily at drilling operations in the US.

Technip to buy Shaw energy, chemicals business

Shaw is selling the segment to Technip for $300 million in cash, adding that further collaborations between the two companies are possible for Shaw’s core business units. The companies further agreed to work toward developing future business relationships involving Shaw’s core business units.

European refiners under pressure from Middle East refining boom - Eni

Eni said a refining boom in the Middle East is putting pressure on European refiners because the Middle East producers, who have lower costs, are now entering the market in Europe - especially the Mediterranean. The official said output at Eni's Sicilian refinery of Gela had already fallen sharply.