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Europe

Petrochemical demand on decline amid soft global economy - report

Prices for petrochemicals, used as the raw materials for many intermediates, derivatives and downstream chemicals, declined in July, representing the first decrease in 10 months, according to a report issued Wednesday by Fitch Ratings.

KBR to conduct engineering study for BP North Sea platform work

KBR was awarded a contract by BP to execute pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) engineering studies for the Hod re-development (HRD) project, operating on behalf of BP and HESS NORGE AS.

Foster Wheeler awarded EPCm contract for Engen South Africa pipeline project

Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract by Engen Petroleum for engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services for Engen’s new multi-products pipeline feeder lines and infrastructure project at the company’s Durban refinery in South Africa.

Virent, Shell study finds biogasoline safe in vehicles

Virent successfully completed its first road fleet test, the company announced on Tuesday. Organized and executed by collaborator Shell, Virent’s biogasoline was found to cause no harm to vehicles in comparison to Shell’s baseline fuel.

CB&I to license, engineer delayed coking unit at Lukoil refinery in Russia

CB&I company Lummus Technology has been awarded a contract from Lukoil for the license and basic engineering of a grassroots delayed coking unit.

Novamont, Genomatica form Europe JV for bio-BDO

Genomatica and Novamont have signed a letter of intent to establish a joint venture that is expected to lead to the first industrial plants in Europe producing butanediol (BDO) from renewable feedstocks.

Fluor wins deal from Chevron to expand oil pipeline in Kazakhstan, Russia

Fluor has been awarded a contract by Chevron Neftegaz - one of three project managers engaged by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium - for its recently-announced expansion project. Fluor will provide project services for the marine terminal and supervisory control and data system (SCADA) portions of the Caspian expansion project.

BASF to raise global capacity for copper catalysts

BASF announced a new round of capital investment projects to increase its production capacity and further enhance its global manufacturing operations for copper and copper-chrome catalysts. These investments are aimed at improving catalyst manufacturing efficiency to meet increased global demand, the company said.

Archer Daniels Midland to buy Polish biodiesel, rapeseed oil firm Elstar

Global agribusiness major Archer Daniels Midland expanded its oilseed processing, food manufacturing and biodiesel capabilities by agreeing to buy a majority share of Elstar Oils S.A. A Warsaw-listed company, Elstar is a leading Polish manufacturer of quality refined vegetable oils and fats for the food industry, and biodiesel for the energy market.

Hestya Energy to buy German refinery, related assets from ConocoPhillips

Hestya Energy B.V. has signed an agreement to purchase the Wilhelmshaven oil refinery, tank farm and marine terminal in Germany from an affiliate of ConocoPhillips. Hestya will then restart the refinery, which has been mothballed for about two years.