Americas
Key pipeline companies in North America take lead on safety research
North American pipeline industry leaders Enbridge and TransCanada have reaffirmed their commitment to pipeline safety and emergency response by agreeing to research regarding leak detection.
Plains to build new Eagle Ford NGL fractionator
The new fractionator, expected to be in service in 2015, is supported by long-term third-party commitments and will have a capacity of up to 15,000 bpd of NGL Y-Grade and off-spec Y-Grade product.
KBR ammonia technology chosen for Indiana plant
The 2,200 tpd ammonia plant will utilize KBR’s proprietary Purifier technology that delivers the lowest proven energy consumption in the industry, reduces capital costs and improves overall plant operations. The undisclosed contract value for KBR will be booked during the fourth quarter of 2013.
NOVA to expand Ontario ethylene cracker by 20%
The expansion will occur between 2014 and 2018, according to the company. It will be part of a wave of expansions and upgrades to NOVA's existing facilities in the region of Sarnia, Ontario.
Braskem buys Solvay vinyls unit in South America
Braskem says the acquisition confirms its commitment to develop the petrochemical and plastics industries in Brazil and South America by strengthening the vinyls chain and by its decision to continue investing to support the growth of its clients. It also establishes an industrial base in Argentina.
BP commissions new coker at Whiting refinery
The start-up of the new 102,000 bpd coker marks the last major milestone of BP's multi-year, multi-billion dollar modernization project at the refinery in Northwest Indiana.
Jacobs to provide program management at new US nitrogen fertilizer facility
Construction of the plant is expected to begin in November of 2014 and take three years to complete. Once operational, Midwest Fertilizer will make nitrogen-based fertilizers to supply domestic demand.
US chemical sector poised for dynamic expansion as investment increases
Supported by activity within the domestic chemicals sector, the ACC says the US economy is likely to see continued, though moderated growth in 2014, according to ACC's monthly Chemical Activity Barometer.
Shell Canada, Caterpillar explore LNG fuels for use in Alberta mining trucks
Caterpillar will leverage its experience with LNG in other applications, and will continue development work to design and build a fully integrated mining truck where LNG displaces most of the diesel power. Caterpillar will test the design at Shell's oil sands operations located near Fort McMurray.
US safety board seeks overhaul of California refinery regulations
After the August 2012 fire at Chevron's Richmond refinery, the CSB says it wants to replace reactive and activity-based regulations with a rigorous, performance-based scheme.
- Shell Aviation, Accenture, and Amex GBT expand Avelia into a multi-supplier SAF solution 7/16
- ORLEN and Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza sign MoU to accelerate biomethane production in Poland 7/16
- New plants, U.S. trade worries to drive China's 2025 naphtha imports to record 7/16
- Blue Water significantly reduces CO2 emissions by switching to HVO in port operations 7/16
- Swire Shipping launches new carbon insetting program – ‘Voyage to Zero’ 7/16
- China's surplus crude oil surges in June, giving refiners options 7/16
