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Americas

KBR returns to Malaysia via JV with BIV Builders

HOUSTON — KBR, Inc. announced it has signed a JV agreement with BIV Builders for a standalone, self-sufficient, long-term JV based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The JV will be known as KBIV.

Venezuela says considering options to repay debts

VIENNA (Reuters) — Venezuela is considering several options to repay its debts, the oil minister said on Thursday, after a deep recession and low crude prices hit output and prompted Caracas to seek funds from China and Russia.

US crude inventories slump amid near record refining

(Reuters) — US crude oil inventories fell for the seventh straight week as refiners processed a near record amount of crude last week, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday, even as gasoline and distillate stockpiles also dipped.

ACC: New report shows potential for major Appalachian petchem industry

WASHINGTON — An economic report released by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) shows that the Appalachian region could become a second center of US petrochemical and plastic resin manufacturing, similar to the Gulf Coast.

Venezuela oil executive arrested in corruption probe

CARACAS (Reuters) — Venezuela has arrested the manager of the Petropiar heavy crude upgrader, owned by state oil company PDVSA and US major Chevron Corp, for alleged "irregularities" in contracts awarded in the oil-rich Orinoco Belt.

Measurement, Control & Automation Association introduces new brand, website

POQUOSON, VA — Parabolic flow curves were the inspiration for the new logo for the Measurement, Control & Automation Association, revealed at the MCAA Industry Forum last month in Atlanta. A completely redesigned website, TheMCAA.org, was also rolled out to the more than 240 attendees at the meeting.

Saudi Aramco plans up to $30-B investment in Motiva by 2023

HOUSTON (Reuters) — Saudi Aramco plans an investment of up to $30 B in its US subsidiary Motiva Enterprises LLC, the company said in an announcement at a business summit in Saudi Arabia.

EIA: Fuel economy improvements are projected to reduce future gasoline use

Anticipated changes in energy consumption by light-duty vehicles in the United States are based on two factors: the amount of travel and the fuel economy of the vehicles used. The Annual Energy Outlook 2017 Reference case projects a decline in light-duty vehicle energy use between 2018 and 2040 as improvements in fuel economy more than offset increases in light-duty vehicle miles.

Trump budget wants to halve oil stockpile, open Arctic refuge to drilling

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — US President Donald Trump's White House wants to sell half of the nation's emergency oil stockpile and open the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to drilling as part of plans to balance the budget over the next 10 years, documents by the administration showed.

India moving beyond oil as seeks alternatives to OPEC

VIENNA/NEW DELHI (Reuters) — OPEC production cuts and the prospect of more expensive oil are pushing India to consider US and Canadian suppliers, as well as encouraging it to turn to renewable energy, the country's petroleum and natural gas minister said on Monday.