Americas
HP Impact: Biofuel mandate vacated; agency responds by increasing mandate 60%
In late January, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2012 cellulosic biofuel mandate, concluding that its forecast was in ..
Louisiana group plans to build largest methanol plant in North America
The $1.3 billion facility will convert 163,000 million British thermal units of natural gas into 5,000 tpd of methanol. The new plant is "emblematic of the reindustrialization of the US based on low-cost energy feedstocks in the form of natural gas," said Simmons & Co. International analyst Bill Herbert.
TransCanada expects Keystone XL approval soon
TransCanada, which has been waiting for White House approval for the 830,000 bpd pipeline expansion for years, expects to receive the necessary permit "by the first half of 2013," according to Paul Miller, a senior vice president in charge of oil pipelines. He spoke on the sidelines of a Houston conference.
Advanced Refining to sell hydrocracking catalysts for Chevron Lummus
Under the agreement, ART will be the worldwide provider for hydrocracking and lubes hydroprocessing catalysts. CLG will continue to focus on its world-class technology development, licensing, design, and revamp of hydrocracking, lubricant base oil, resid hydrotreating, and resid hydrocracking plants.
Calumet moves to FEED stage on modular GTL proposal in Pennsylvania
Calumet now plans to progress with the more detailed engineering and market analysis for the plant. At the conclusion of this study, which is expected to last six months, Calumet says it will decide whether to proceed with fabrication. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2014.
Wison named engineering partner by EDF, Exmar for North American FLNG
Under the agreement, Wison would be responsible for the turnkey engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) services for the mobile, self-contained units that would be capable of tying in to existing pipeline, tank and jetty infrastructure to enable LNG export.
Sunoco Logistics cleaning East Texas pipeline spill
The cause of the spill is being investigated. The oil leaked out of the pipeline Saturday into Otter Creek in Tyler County, Sunoco Logistics said. The oil did not reach the Neches River, which is connected to the creek, according to Tyler County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Freeeman.
ConocoPhillips looks to reduce stakes in Australian LNG, Canadian oil sands
ConocoPhillips already announced plans to shed billions of dollars in assets to focus on core areas of its portfolio, particularly in unconventional formations in the US. The company plans to "rebalance" its portfolio over time and "lighten up" on these high costs projects in order to keep costs of supply low.
Marathon reports fire at Galveston Bay refinery
A Texas City Emergency Management alert originally stated that a tank was on fire at the 451,000-bpd refinery. But a later alert stated that a pump is on fire next to a tank. Shane Pochard, a spokesman for Marathon, said the fire has not caused any injuries nor had any offsite impact.
Safety consultant accuses BP management of 'classic failure' in Gulf spill
Robert Bea, a University of California Berkeley engineering professor who has worked as a safety consultant for BP starting in 2001, said he sent many warnings to the company's management in the years before the accident about how cost-cutting would hurt the safety of operations.
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