Americas
Air Products plans new Chile industrial gases plant
Antofagasta's new plant will produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon. Its construction and the Graneros expansion will mean an investment of more than $15 million. The new capacity follows the opening of a new plant in Puerto Varas in 2012 to support local industries, including the growing aquaculture market.
EU slaps anti-dumping duties on biodiesel imported from Argentina, Indonesia
EU biodiesel makers have long complained that subsidies and incentives for biodiesel makers in Argentina and Indonesia give them an unfair advantage. Argentina's Foreign Ministry denounced the duties as an attempt to shield EU companies from more competitive Argentine producers.
Iran launches cyberattacks on US energy firms
In the latest operations, the Iranian hackers were able to gain access to control-system software that could potentially allow them to manipulate US oil or natural gas pipelines.
US monthly oil demand inches higher despite sharp decline in gasoline use
Gains in demand for distillate fuel [diesel/heating oil] and catch-all other oils, which include feedstocks for petrochemical plants, offset the fall in gasoline use to nudge total demand higher.
Valero targets more North American crude supply for Quebec refinery
Valero plans to invest between $106 million and $192 million to overhaul its handling capacity at the Quebec refinery, including increased tankage and new crude carrying ships, in order to increase access to North American crude. That will provide it with a competitive advantage.
Total mulls new ethane steam cracker in Texas
Total says it is considering a project to build a new ethane steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas, to capitalize on cheap, shale-derived feedstocks from North America.
US energy chief urges caution on gas exports
The new US energy secretary could delay further approvals for US companies seeking to export LNG, saying he wants to review whether studies of the issue are adequate. Some 19 export facilities have pending applications with the department, taking advantage of rising domestic production.
Petronas, Japex pick engineering contractors for Canada LNG export project
The contractors are Bechtel, a joint venture comprised of KBR and JGC Corp., and the Technip/Samsung Engineering/China Huanqiu joint venture. The awards represent an important step towards Pacific NorthWest LNG designing and constructing a world-class LNG export facility in British Columbia.
US LNG exports pave way to Asian spot market
Japanese liquefied natural gas buyers see US government approval on export projects to non-FTA countries as a step forward in the creation of an LNG spot market in Asia.
US judge dismisses obstruction charge against BP executive over Gulf spill
The blow-out took place in April 2010, resulting in 11 deaths and in the worst offshore oil spill in US history. The executive had said the estimated flow was about 5,000 bpd, but internal BP documents from the time showed the company believed the rate was likely much higher.
- USA BioEnergy secures Johnson Matthey and Honeywell technologies for new SAF facility in Texas (U.S.) 9/10
- Consortium receives AiP for floating ammonia cracker unit 9/10
- Southeast Asia set to export surplus biofuels to Europe, Petronas executive says 9/10
- U.S. refinery-state senators look to block Trump from shifting renewable fuel obligation 9/10
- Canada pledges money, regulatory reform to boost biofuels 9/10
- LNJ GreenPET, Sumitomo partner to accelerate recycled PET sector 9/10
