Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Europe

BP unveils global energy outlook through 2030, boosts demand estimate

Global energy demand will continue to grow over the next 20 years, albeit at a slowing annual rate, fueled by economic and population growth in non-OECD countries, BP said in its Energy Outlook 2030 report. The demand projection is up 1.2% from the year-earlier estimate.

BASF to invest €1bn on new TDI plant in Germany

BASF plans to build a single-train 300,000 tpy production plant for TDI (toluene diisocyanate) and expand additional plants for its precursors at its site in Ludwigshafen. TDI is a key component mainly used for flexible polyurethane foams.

BP may throw financial lifeline to Petroplus - report

BP is considering offering financial assistance to struggling independent oil refiner Petroplus Holdings, the London-based Sunday Times reported, without citing sources. The refiner had lost access to all its credit lines, forcing it to shut down the remaining three refineries.

Statoil temporarily shuts down Hammerfest LNG production after leak

Norwegian energy company Statoil said late Thursday that it temporarily shut down production Wednesday at its liquefied natural gas plant at Melkoya outside Hammerfest, Norway. Statoil's share of production from the plant totals 48,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day of LNG.

EU remains uncertain on timing of Iran oil embargo

A European Union embargo on Iranian oil could be enacted after a six-month grace period under one of the options being considered, but there is still no consensus on the matter. EU diplomats familiar with the discussions said Friday that while six months is one of the possible options, there is no convergence yet.

Chevron warns of weakening downstream results

Chevron expects 2011 fourth-quarter downstream earnings to be down significantly from the third quarter amid lower margins and refinery input volumes. In the US, Gulf coast refining margins fell substantially in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, the company said.

Shell picks Jacobs to engineer tunnels project for German refineries

Jacobs Engineering Group was awarded a contract from Shell to provide project management and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) services to support a tunnels project for refineries in Rhineland, Germany.

LyondellBasell to shut two polypropylene lines in Germany

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

LyondellBasell will shut down two polypropylene (PP) lines in Wesseling, Germany, by mid-2012, seeking to reduce costs and maintain its competitive position.

US refiners may profit from Petroplus closures in Europe

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

Analysts say refiners could see new opportunities as Europe's largest independent refiner and wholesaler of petroleum products shuts down three of its five refineries.

Repsol shuts FCC unit at Petronor refinery in Spain amid poor margins

Repsol has shut the FCC unit at its 220,000 bpd Petronor refinery in Spain because of dismal refining margins in Europe, Petronor said in a statement. Repsol's Petronor refinery is in the Somorrostro valley, 20 kilometers from Bilbao in northern Spain.