South America

Update: Fire extinguished at Venezuelan oil upgrader, operations halted

Incidents and outages are frequent within PDVSA's aging infrastructure, including oilfields, refineries and upgraders that are key to turning the country's extra heavy oil output into exportable crude grades.

COP30: Brazil seeks biofuel boom, but critics query climate impact

U.N. COP30 climate summit host Brazil is pressing nations to pledge to quadruple the global use of sustainable fuels by 2035, including biofuels, hydrogen and biogases, but environmentalists warn that making fuel from crops harms food security and nature.

Global oil refining profits surge and may stay strong

The strength in margins contrasts with crude oil markets coming under pressure from an expected oversupply, and has defied expectations earlier this year that the rally could prove to be a short-term blip due to the impact of tariffs.

Abra Group and Sumitomo sign MoU to advance affordable SAF in Brazil

Quick wins on cutting methane dogged by a slow transition

The pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 has been signed by 159 countries plus the EU. Many of them have developed, or are working on, methane action plans, and billions of dollars have been committed to the effort.

Olin enters strategic partnership with Braskem to drive vinyls value growth

The companies have executed a long-term agreement for Olin's supply of ethylene dichloride (EDC), aligning with Braskem's transformation of its chlor-alkali and vinyl assets in Brazil.

Solvay achieves near-total water independence, with Veolia’s advanced reuse technologies and tailored long-term service agreement in Brazil

Braskem unveils updated lifecycle assessments for I’m green™ bio-based portfolio

Peróxidos do Brasil to supply hydrogen peroxide to Arauco’s Sucuriú project with world’s second myH2O2® satellite plant

Hydrogen peroxide is a key enabler of clean pulp bleaching and water treatment, offering a safer, more sustainable alternative to traditional chemicals.

U.S. Gulf Coast fuel oil imports hit 2.5-yr high amid Venezuelan, Russian sanctions

U.S. Gulf Coast refiners are ramping up fuel oil imports to fill a widening gap left by declining heavy crude supplies, particularly from U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela.