Americas
US launches antitrust investigation into pressure-pumping industry
Baker Hughes said it received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Justice Department under the Antitrust Civil Process Act. The request sought information relating to the US pressure-pumping market beginning May 29, 2011. Additional details about the scope of the investigation were not available.
Gevo begins to supply isobutanol-blended gasoline to US Coast Guard
The US Coast Guard R&D Center is using the Gevo-blended fuel as part of a 12-month, long-term operational study on marine engines that began during June. The testing is being performed under a research and development pact between the US Coast Guard, Honda and Mercury.
Evacuated drilling rig in Gulf of Mexico catches fire
The rig, located in shallow water off Grand Isle, Louisiana, has been leaking natural gas. It ignited about 10:50 Tuesday evening, according to the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The crew had evacuated Tuesday morning and no one was aboard when it caught fire.
Sasol, INEOS to develop new US plant for high-density polyethylene
The envisaged plant will produce 470,000 tpy of bimodal HDPE using Innovene S process technology licensed from INEOS Technologies. The final investment decision from the two companies is expected to be made in the first half of 2014, with start-up of the plant expected at the end of 2015.
AFPM seeks repeal of US renewable fuels rule
The downstream trade group is calling on the US Congress to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), saying the law was based on erroneous assumptions of the market.
DuPont mulls sale of performance chemicals unit
DuPont's performance chemicals business includes titanium dioxide (TiO2), fluorochemicals, and specialty and industrial chemicals. In Tuesday's earnings release, DuPont reported a 12% year-on-year decline in second-quarter net income, mainly due to lower global TiO2 prices.
Praxair starts operations at new hydrogen plant to supply US Gulf refiners
The new plant houses the largest steam methane reformer (SMR) built by Praxair to date. It will supply hydrogen and up to 450,000 lb/hour of steam to Valero’s new 57,000 bpd hydrocracker.
US shale boom threatens Australian gas sector
Big LNG importers like Korea Gas and Japan's Osaka Gas have signed deals with US terminals, diversifying supply sources that had relied on Australia and the Middle East.
Petrovietnam to provide Ecuador with diesel oil
Petrovietam won a contract to supply Ecuador with 2.16 million bbl of diesel oil, state-run company Petroecuador confirmed. Nine cargoes of 240,000 bbl each are scheduled to arrive next month.
DuPont seeks joint ventures on cellulosic ethanol
Chemical giant DuPont is seeking partners for joint ventures in the production of cellulosic ethanol as well as licensing related technology. Licensing agreements would include equipment and DuPont's plant design, and DuPont says it would supply the enzymes needed to produce the fuel.
- Shell Catalysts & Technologies, Technip Energies sign global alliance agreement for carbon capture delivery 7/17
- KBR wins FEED contract for KEPPT’s fertilizer facility in Iraq 7/17
- EIA: U.S. crude stockpiles fall as exports rise; fuel demand drops 7/17
- Uruguay SAF project gains momentum with Velocys Onboard as FT licensor 7/17
- Targray teams up with SABA to streamline SAF procurement 7/17
- Moeve and Zaffra sign Memorandum of Understanding to develop eSAF facilities in Spain 7/17
