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Gas Processing/LNG

BHP Billiton to spend $4.5bn on US shale this year

BHP Billiton Ltd. plans to invest roughly $4.5 billion developing the shale oil and gas assets it bought in the US this financial year as it ramps up production, the head of the mining company's petroleum division said Monday. BHP is targeting US shale production of 90 million barrels of oil equivalent in the year through June or about 250,000 BOE/day.

US shale study finds no clear link between fracking, water contamination

Initial findings from a study on hydraulic fracturing in shale gas development suggest no direct link to reports of groundwater contamination. The project leader offered early observations from the study at a briefing in Fort Worth, attended by local government officials, regulators and energy company executives.

API launches new US advertising campaign against higher oil, gas taxes

American Petroleum Institute (API) chief executive Jack Gerard unveiled a new advertising campaign this week, which he says is to encourage lawmakers on the US Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to focus on job creation and revenues through economic growth rather than what the API calls “punitive tax increases” on industry. The new advertisements are available online for viewing.

IEA unveils 2011 World Energy Outlook, says policy changes needed to cut emissions

Without a bold change of policy direction, the world will lock itself into an insecure, inefficient and high-carbon energy system, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned as it launched the 2011 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO). "Governments need to introduce stronger measures to drive investment in efficient and low-carbon technologies," said IEA executive director Maria van der Hoeven.

Carbon Sciences touts new gas-to-liquids process

Carbon Sciences Inc. announced a breakthrough technology to their gas-to-liquids (GTL) process that yields liquid transportation fuels from natural gas and carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon Sciences' proprietary catalyst technology is aimed at reducing the cost of syngas production by eliminating the expensive requirements for oxygen and steam.

GTC inks process technology deal with RATE for gas processing, sulfur recovery

GTC Technology announced a global agreement with Rameshni & Associates Technology and Engineering (RATE) for gas processing and sulfur recovery solutions. GTC expects this agreement to expand its offering to greater than 2,500 tons/day of sulfur and 4,000 MMSCFD (4,000,000 NM3/H).

Air Liquide starts up California air separation unit

Air Liquide has started up a new, energy-efficient air separation unit (ASU) at its facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The new ASU produces liquid oxygen and nitrogen for a range of industries, including healthcare, food and beverage, steel, glass, electronics, oil and gas, and chemicals.

Encana to sell Texas shale gas assets to EnerVest

Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., a subsidiary of Encana Corp., has reached an agreement to sell its North Texas natural gas-producing properties to partnerships managed by EnerVest Ltd. for approximately $975 million.

Fluor wins maintenance deal for RasGas in Qatar

Fluor Corp. announced today that Qatar National Facilities Services (QNFS), a Qatari-based company partly owned by Fluor, signed a five-year comprehensive maintenance services contract with RasGas Co. Ltd.

Nabucco pipeline decision could boost Germany's gas supplies

Germany's decision to phase out its nuclear power in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan has boosted interest in the planned Nabucco gas pipeline, which would transport gas 4,000 km between Turkey and Austria. However, a final decision on the Nabucco project will not be made until the end of next year.