Americas
US refinery use signals stronger crude demand
A better-than-expected increase in last week's US refinery utilization rates is welcome relief to recent concerns that weak demand was contributing to a surplus of crude oil.
ExxonMobil licenses tubular process to Sasol for Louisiana polyethylene project
Used worldwide by ExxonMobil Chemical and its licensees, the company's high-pressure tubular process has been in operation since 1968 and has a long history of improvements and capacity expansion. The company also licenses autoclave technology for producing LDPE.
Dow Chemical, YPF to develop Argentine shale gas, collaborate on petrochemicals
The companies now enter into talks on how to work out the details of a deal to uncover unconventional gas in the Orejano block in Argentina's resource-rich Neuquen province. Dow and YPF also agreed to work together to come up with ways for further develop the nation's petrochemical industry.
Chevron recovers less oil than first expected from Utah diesel pipeline leak
Chevron is dealing with the fallout of the March 18 leak, which resulted in 600 bbl of diesel from its refinery in Salt Lake City spilling into marshes close to a freshwater lake in Willard Bay State Park. The company has to date recovered 354 bbl, down from the 500 bbl it said it had collected Friday.
Canadian Pacific train derails in US, spilling crude
CP crews are on the scene, and the spill is being contained. The derailment comes amid a surge in rail-shipped oil across North America, as US and Canadian production booms. That has heightened scrutiny over the safety of transporting increasing quantities of crude on the continent's railroads.
US proposes $1.7 million fine against ExxonMobil for Montana oil pipeline leak
The US Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees pipeline safety, said Exxon didn't have written procedures instructing employees how to protect the pipeline in case of natural disasters. Exxon was "disappointed in the findings of this report".
Air Products licenses process technology to Cryo for unreacted olefins recovery
The licensing enables Cryo to design and offer Air Products' unreacted olefin recovery technology, which has been proven through the development, testing, and successful operation of three full-scale facilities that Air Products designed and supplied to PP and PE producers in the US.
Williams taps UOP process for Canada PDH unit
It marks the sixth win for UOP's Oleflex process technology in North America, as petrochemical producers are moving to produce propylene from natural gas-derived propane.
UK's Centrica signs deal to import US natural gas
The contract with Cheniere Energy Partners will see Centrica import 1.75 millio tpy of gas, enough to power around 1.8 million UK homes, according to the firm. It is the first such deal between a US supplier and a UK utility. The deal is subject to Cheniere getting the necessary regulatory approval.
BP seeks sanctions for Halliburton over missing cement samples
BP is asking a federal judge to issue sanctions against Halliburton, alleging the drilling contractor withheld evidence in the trial following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

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