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Refining

KBR named engineering partner by CRI for catalytic thermochemical technology

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide basic engineering services for broad, full scale commercial deployment of IH2 units. IH2 technology is a cost-effective catalytic thermo-chemical process to produce liquid transportation fuels from renewable resources.

US appeals court overturns key portion of EPA's renewable fuels mandate

The decision means the EPA will have to be more cautious in setting future requirements for buying advanced renewable fuels, including a mandate for this year that is still pending. In previous years, developers relied on the EPA's mandate to show investors there will be a market for their product.

US could become world's biggest liquid fuels producer by 2014

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

Total US production of liquid fuels could equal or surpass Saudi Arabia as early as next year, but crude oil output will still remain short, according to an EIA administrator.

Motiva restarts expansion segment of huge Port Arthur refinery in Texas

The process of restarting the unit began late last year, but was further delayed by the discovery of new pipe leaks and a small fire. A person familiar with operations said the segment will run at 200,000 to 225,000 bpd for about three to four weeks before ramping up to its full capacity of 325,000 bbl.

Nebraska approves new Keystone XL pipeline route

The approval by the state's governor, a Republican, is one of the last remaining hurdles the pipeline has to clear before getting a final permit from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, the US State Department is expected to release a draft of its own findings in the coming days.

IEA raises forecast for global oil demand in 2013, citing strength in China

In China, which alone accounted for two-thirds of total oil demand growth in the four years to 2011, infrastructure spending, stronger electricity use and increased rail usage could underpin an increase in demand, the IEA said. In Europe, however, the picture still remains bleak.

HollyFrontier reportedly hit by fire at Wyoming refinery's delayed coker

A gas leak caused the fire to break at around 12:00 p.m. MST, and refinery operators, the plant's fire brigade and members of Cheyenne's fire department worked to isolate it at the delayed coker unit and to extinguish it by 1:45 p.m. MST on Wednesday, the local news report said.

Neste Oil joins EU renewable aviation fuels project

Rather than aiming for any commercial gain from the project, the members of the consortium will focus on building up common research and test data on the use of renewable aviation fuel, in areas such as logistics and the practical issues related to fueling associated with scheduled flights in Europe.

US growth in tight oil production could reshape Canadian oil sands markets

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

The US will remain the main market for Canada's oil sands and its import levels are expected to grow, but the destinations and types of imports are likely to be altered.

Aramco, Bapco to upgrade path of joint oil pipeline to lone Bahrain refinery

The project will up the capacity of the pipeline, opened in 1945, to 350,000 bpd of oil from 230,000 bpd, the person said. The project is part of a strategy to develop Bahrain's oil and gas sector.