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Refining

Suncor Energy suspends Syria oil operations

Suncor Energy declared force majeure under its contractual obligations and is suspending operations with the General Petroleum Corp. (GPC) in Syria, the company said on Monday. Suncor management is not changing total production guidance (2011 or 2012) because Libyan production is ramping up and was not included in the existing guidance.

Outlook bleak for Europe, US refiners at end of dismal year

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

A dismal year for the European and US refining market is set to end on a sour note as profit margins are squeezed by high oil prices and lackluster product demand.

Pacific Ethanol increases stake in US biorefineries

Pacific Ethanol has entered into an agreement with a group of institutional investors to raise $8 million in financing while acquiring an additional 7% interest in four ethanol production facilities. Upon closing, the company's total ownership interest will increase to 34%, the company said.

Plains converting Oklahoma LPG pipeline to crude

Plains All American Pipeline announced Thursday that it is converting an existing Oklahoma liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline into crude oil service. The pipeline will provide an initial crude oil throughput capacity of 12,000 bpd by January 2012 and will be expanded to 25,000 bpd by July 2012.

Eni CEO: Italy can cope with EU ban on Iran crude

Italy could cope with a potential European Union ban on Iranian crude imports, the top executive of Italian oil major Eni said Thursday, but added that oil payments from the Islamic republic were more of a concern if an embargo was imposed. The EU is mulling an oil embargo against Iran as a sanction against the country's nuclear program.

Chevron to spend record $32.7 billion on capital projects in 2012

Chevron said it expects to spend a record $32.7 billion on capital projects in 2012 as it continues to invest in massive oil and gas projects worldwide. Rivals ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil recently announced double-digit capital budget increases for next year, showing major oil companies are confident about the sustainability of high oil prices.

Halliburton defends itself against BP oil spill claims

Halliburton responded Wednesday to recent court filings by BP, which accused it of unfavorable results from tests on cement used to plug the leaking well in the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

US regulators issue more spill-related fines to BP

US regulators have issued additional violations to BP for its role in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, raising the level of fines that the company is likely to pay. The violations lay the foundation for civil penalties that are likely to be imposed by the federal government.

Marathon Oil boosting capital spending by $1 billion

Marathon Oil Corp. said Wednesday that it will increase its capital spending by $1 billion in 2012 as it moves to develop acreage in the Eagle Ford shale of South Texas. The firm plans to spend $4.82 billion on capital projects in 2012, up from its plan to spend $3.89 billion in 2011.

Toyo lands engineering design deal for Canada oil sands refinery project

Toyo has been awarded a contract by North West Redwater (NWR) to provide EDS (engineering design specification) work for a heavy oil upgrading and refining complex in Sturgeon County, Alberta. This complex will process bitumen extracted from oil sands producing naphtha, diesel oil and other petroleum products.