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Americas

HP Petrochemicals: Mexican executives see new government reforms spurring petrochemical activity

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: DuBose, Ben

The CEO of Mexico’s state-run Pemex sees Mexico’s downstream and midstream industries offering big opportunities for new and foreign investments on the heels of the country’s massive energy reform program.

HP News

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

UAE FCC catalyst manufacturing facility completes Phase 1W. R. Grace & Co. and JV partner Al Dahra Agriculture Co. marked the commissioning of a new catalyst logistics silo terminal (pictured) and the..

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

US refinery utilization rates have returned to summer operating levels. Crude oil pricing supports higher cracking margins for gasoline in US and European markets. Asian margins fell as increasing sup..

US approves Alaska LNG for non-FTA exports

The US Department of Energy has sanctioned exports from the Alaska LNG plant on the Kenai Peninsula to those countries without a free-trade agreement with the US.

Manoir to supply furnace coils for Shintech’s new US Gulf ethane cracker

The furnace components are based on Manoir's proprietary Manaurite high-alloy technology and are manufactured in its leading production center in Yantaï, China.

KBR forms alliance with Exelus to license solid acid catalyst technology

Global demand for motor fuels continues to rise while stricter environmental standards and oxygenate blend requirements for gasoline place a premium on clean burning fuels such as alkylate.

US chemical activity index rises sharply as outlook for business improves

The Chemical Activity Barometer has four primary components, each consisting of a variety of indicators: 1) production; 2) equity prices; 3) product prices; and 4) inventories and other indicators. Inventories, product prices, and equity prices all improved over the prior month.

Total Safety wins 18 awards for contractor safety

The member locations receiving the award range across the US in more than five states. Total Safety has received 54 AFPM contractor merit awards in the past four years.

EPA, Citgo strike deal to resolve Corpus refinery emissions violations

The agreement follows an unannounced inspection by EPA enforcement staff in June 2012, who acted on a tip from the Chemical Safety Board. The inspectors found violations in a range of areas, including equipment and controls, operation and auditing procedures, and initial and ongoing training.

Air Liquide opens California CO2 liquefaction plant

The facility captures carbon dioxide emissions from an ethanol plant owned by Calgren Renewable Fuels. The carbon dioxide recovered is then purified and liquefied by Air Liquide.