Middle East
Global oil, gas firms poised for strong 2011 finish despite market uncertainty - report
Though third-quarter financial news has been decidedly more bearish than bullish, advisory firm Ernst & Young's oil and gas center says it anticipates a steady close to the year. The oil and gas industry is set to end 2011 strong amid great uncertainty in the broader market, according to the firm’s quarterly oil and gas update.
SABIC creates venture capital arm for technology investment
Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) has announced the launch of a new global corporate venture capital arm, SABIC Ventures, in the Netherlands, with the primary goal of seeking out innovative technologies and businesses consistent with the company's global strategy.
SABIC picks Toyo for energy optimization project at Saudi ammonia plant
Toyo Engineering Corp. was awarded an energy optimization project for one of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation’s (SABIC) existing ammonia plant and package boilers at Al-Jubail Fertilizer Co. (Al-Bayroni) in the eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Study says isobutanol-gasoline blends are superior to ethanol in small engines
In side by side performance, durability and emissions testing of small engines, gasoline blended with isobutanol performed better than blends using ethanol, according to new research from renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels firm Gevo. The results demonstrated that unlike ethanol, blends incorporating isobutanol do not cause any irregular or unstable engine or performance issues.
GT wins order for polysilicon production equipment, technology in Saudi Arabia
GT Advanced Technologies has received a $47.7 million order for polysilicon production equipment and technology from Polysilicon Technology Co. (PTC), a company based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new contract continues a technology agreement with PTC that was first signed in 2009.
Chemical M&A surging amid major US deals - PwC
Mega deals involving US-based companies in the global chemicals industry helped raise merger and acquisition (M&A) deal value to $16 billion in the third quarter of 2011, according to Chemical Compounds, a quarterly analysis of M&A activity in the global chemicals industry by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Sasol picks Foster Wheeler for EPCm on gas-fired power plant in South Africa
Foster Wheeler says it has received an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services contract from Sasol for the outside battery limit (OBL) portion of a new gas-fired power generation plant at Sasolburg, South Africa.
BP reaches turning point in oil output, safety - CEO
As BP announced its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday, group CEO Bob Dudley put forther more details on BP’s future direction and strategic priorities, saying the company had reached a clear turning point in oil and gas production.
Hydrocarbon Processing forecasts 2012 global HPI spending to rise to $222 billion
Spending for the hydrocarbon processing industry is expected to exceed $222 billion next year, up 1.1% over 2011 spending, according to information released on Friday at Hydrocarbon Processing magazine's 38th annual HPI Forecast and Breakfast.
IEA secures energy alliances with India, Russia
Officials with India and Russia each signed deals this week with the International Energy Agency (IEA), pledging to strengthen bilateral co-operation in areas such as oil and gas security, energy efficiency and renewables, and overall dialogue.

- Wood to design upgrades at Ecopetrol refinery for cleaner fuels production 6/24
- Saudi Arabia's CMDC (BCI group) awards thyssenkrupp nucera key contract for chlor-alkali plant expansion in Jubail 6/24
- BEL Valves supplies six-figure order for Europe’s largest processing plant 6/24
- INEOS responds to UK Government's industrial strategy 6/24
- RYAM, Verso Energy sign MoU to advance e-SAF and CO₂ utilization project in Georgia (U.S.) 6/24
- Chemistry researchers publish paper in outlining more efficient photoredox catalysis system 6/24