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Refining

PTT aims to join Pertamina Indonesia refinery study

After Pertamina chooses its partner, the study will be conducted to determine production capacity, investment details, and a timeframe, said Pailin Chuchottaworn, chief executive of PTT. PTT sees investment opportunities in Indonesia's energy sector given its huge population and potential demand.

US weekly ethanol production sinks to record low

The figure was the lowest since the EIA began releasing weekly ethanol production data in mid-2010. It was slightly below the previous low of 785,000 bpd in late September. US ethanol producers have struggled with weak margins since early last year, pressured by several factors.

BP outlook shows North America shale oil boom putting pressure on OPEC

BP's forecasts illustrate the extent to which the North American boom, first in shale gas production and now in shale oil, has redrawn the global energy map. However, the company doesn't expect the shale revolution to spread by 2030 on any great scale to Asia or Europe.

Valero expands Houston refinery for Texas crudes

The move by Valero, the world's largest independent refiner, illustrates how the US crude-oil production boom is displacing crude-oil imports. Valero said by 2015 it will complete the project to add a 90,000 bpd "crude topper" to the refinery. The company will spend up to $280 million on the project.

Idemitsu, partners approve $9bn Vietnam refinery

The joint venture partners on Tuesday signed a preliminary agreement with an international consortium to build the $9 billion Nghi Son refinery after securing part of around $5 billion in bank loans and agreeing to final terms with the Vietnamese government, an Idemitsu official said.

UK rejects requests to stop Arctic oil, gas drilling

The UK government said that while it recognized the risks of drilling for hydrocarbons in the sensitive Arctic region, high environmental and drilling standards, efforts to enhance oil spill prevention and response mechanisms would be more effective than a complete ban.

Enterprise inks marine transport deal with Exxon for US refined products

Under the terms of the agreement, which took effect January 1, 2013, Enterprise is committing five tugs and 10 barges for the transportation of refined products and other hydrocarbon products along the US inland waterway system. Financial terms were not disclosed by the companies.

US issues new emission rules on diesel generators

The new rules will cut costs for diesel-generator users by $139 million a year, while reducing hazardous air pollutants, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollution, the EPA said. Diesel generators emit pollution that can cause cancer and can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases.

Flint Hills reports seal pump fire at Corpus refinery

The shut down process caused a flaring event at the 70,000-bpd East Plant, which was reported to local emergency planners. There were no injuries associated with the event, nor was there a call for the community to take action. The seal pump fire was extinguished quickly, the company said.

Essar extinguishes furnace fire at UK refinery

Supplies to customers are being largely maintained to schedule, and Essar says it has plans in place to ensure that remains the case while repairs are made to the unit. The fire at the Stanlow refinery didn't impact the two main crude distillation units or the residue catalytic cracking unit.