Americas
Sunoco buys US fuels distributor from Alta East
The business distributes 55 million gal/year of branded and unbranded gasolines, including Sunoco-branded fuels. The transaction also included supply contracts with the dealer-owned and operated sites.
Latin American chemical sector buoyed by low oil, strong end markets in 2016
Latin American chemical groups will likely maintain high capex relative to cash flow generation through 2016, while aggregate investments for rated chemical companies should remain high.
American Petroleum Institute names new leader of global industry services
GIS is the API organization’s division responsible for certification, standards, training, events, publications and safety programs for onshore, offshore and refinery operations.
Pemex to invest $23 billion to expand, upgrade many Mexican refineries
With the $23 billion in investment, Pemex aims to increase its production of clean fuels and expand its crude processing capacity at several refineries, according to government officials.
Phillips 66 starts up new Texas NGL fractionator
Sweeny Fractionator One supplies purity ethane and LPG to the petrochemical industry and heating markets. It is supported by 250 miles of new pipelines and a multi-million barrel storage cavern complex.
North American chemicals seen as stable in 2016
Producers are benefiting from solid demand in domestic manufacturing and the recovery in US construction and consumption, despite the sector being comprised of many heterogeneous products.
Wood Group buys downstream contractor Infinity
Texas-based Infinity provides a range of services including mechanical construction, fabrication, project management, turnarounds, maintenance services, heavy civil works, site preparation, and electrical and instrumentation services. The existing management team will continue to lead the business.
New thermal insulative coating enhances personnel protection, minimizes corrosion
Oil and gas operators looking to enhance worker safety and minimize corrosion under insulation (CUI) risks can turn to a new insulative acrylic coating from Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings.
Monthly US chemical production edges higher
There were gains in the three-month moving average output trend of consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and inorganics (chlor-alkali), synthetic rubber, and other specialties. At the same time, there were declines in the production of organic chemicals, adhesives, fertilizers and coatings.
Linde sees petrochemical customers hesitating to make new investments
"There are no cancellations, but customers are shying away from signing new orders," CEO Wolfgang Beuchele said, speaking of the global petrochemicals industry.

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