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Refining

Shell mulls sale of downstream businesses in Italy

The potential sale is consistent with Shell’s strategy to concentrate its global downstream businesses where it can be most competitive, according to company officials. Recent examples include the sale of refineries in the UK and Germany and downstream businesses in Finland and Sweden.

Uganda seals deal to build refinery, export pipeline

The agreement to build a refinery with a capacity of just 30,000 bpd was reached following a meeting on Saturday between Mr. Museveni and representatives of the oil companies. It follows a warning from Total in February that failure to include an export pipeline in the plan would stall the development.

Plains to build Cactus crude pipeline in West Texas

Plains said the pipeline is expected to transport both sweet and sour crude oil from the Permian Basin to the Eagle Ford pipeline it operates as part of a joint venture with Enterprise Products. The Eagle Ford pipeline serves markets in Three Rivers, Texas, and Corpus Christi, Texas.

GE unveils new corrosion protection technology for refinery steam systems

The new technology is cost-effective, according to GE officials, and will provide corrosion protection of refinery boiler and steam-condensate systems while minimizing the potential for formation of corrosive amine salts in crude distillation units where utility steam is used in crude processing.

Technip wins engineering work on sulfur recovery project at Bahrain refinery

Technip's work includes the engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning as well as commissioning and start-up assistance. The project will ensure that the #3 unit is capable of safely burning sour water stripper off gas and becomes a viable spare for the new #4 sulfur recovery unit.

Suncor picks KBR to maintain Edmonton refinery

KBR will assist with turnaround planning review, maintenance, pipe fabrication and long-term execution plans for the Suncor Edmonton refinery. Financial terms of the three-year agreement were not disclosed.

Emerson to supply control valves to Technip for Algiers refinery upgrade

The Algiers refinery, located 10 km south of Algiers, in Algeria, is being revamped to increase crude oil processing capacity and ensure it can produce gasoline at specifications similar to those used throughout Europe. Emerson will supply about 600 of its Fisher control valves and regulators.

IEA cuts global oil demand outlook, warns on supply

The downward revision by the Paris-based consumer group reflects similar moves by other industry forecasters as concerns over the global economy continue to weigh on demand expectations. The decline reflects very weak demand from industrialized countries, particularly in Europe.

BHP Billiton chairman urges US to promote exports of onshore oil, natural gas

Jacques Nasser, BHP Billiton chairman since 2010, says the export of onshore oil and gas, which has surged in recent years as new extraction techniques have been developed, will bring geopolitical benefits around the world and also create a large number of highly skilled jobs.

SABIC signs research pact with MIT to develop unconventional feedstocks

The agreement paves the way for SABIC and MIT to work together to develop new practical innovation for the company’s solutions and processes in order to meet global needs from developing unconventional feedstocks to innovating new material solutions, SABIC said in a statement.