Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Americas

Alfa Laval to give heat exchangers to US LNG plant

The Alfa Laval compact heat exchangers will be used in a new, major shale gas processing facility in the US where they will recover and reuse heat in the gas cleaning process, thereby resulting in an energy-efficient process. The name and specific location of the client were not disclosed.

Jacobs to manage SoCalGas pipeline safety project

Phase 1A of the Southern California company's pipeline safety enhancement program consists of pressure testing 360 miles of existing pipelines; replacing 246 miles of the 3,750 mile pipeline system; and upgrading or replacing 173 mainline valves. The contract value was not disclosed.

US could become world's biggest liquid fuels producer by 2014

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

Total US production of liquid fuels could equal or surpass Saudi Arabia as early as next year, but crude oil output will still remain short, according to an EIA administrator.

Motiva restarts expansion segment of huge Port Arthur refinery in Texas

The process of restarting the unit began late last year, but was further delayed by the discovery of new pipe leaks and a small fire. A person familiar with operations said the segment will run at 200,000 to 225,000 bpd for about three to four weeks before ramping up to its full capacity of 325,000 bbl.

Nebraska approves new Keystone XL pipeline route

The approval by the state's governor, a Republican, is one of the last remaining hurdles the pipeline has to clear before getting a final permit from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, the US State Department is expected to release a draft of its own findings in the coming days.

US energy groups spar with chemical companies over proposed gas exports

By showing favor toward exports, NAM and the ACC risk alienating high-profile member companies in industries such as chemicals and steel. Those firms, including Dow Chemical and Celanese, say unlimited shipments to foreign buyers will create added demand for US gas, raising domestic prices.

IEA raises forecast for global oil demand in 2013, citing strength in China

In China, which alone accounted for two-thirds of total oil demand growth in the four years to 2011, infrastructure spending, stronger electricity use and increased rail usage could underpin an increase in demand, the IEA said. In Europe, however, the picture still remains bleak.

Dow Chemical splits from US manufacturing lobby amid gas export dispute

In a letter to NAM president Jay Timmons on Friday, and obtained by Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Chemical accuses the group of siding with member companies that are in the natural-gas industry, rather than adopt "a position of neutrality on an issue that clearly splits its membership."

HollyFrontier reportedly hit by fire at Wyoming refinery's delayed coker

A gas leak caused the fire to break at around 12:00 p.m. MST, and refinery operators, the plant's fire brigade and members of Cheyenne's fire department worked to isolate it at the delayed coker unit and to extinguish it by 1:45 p.m. MST on Wednesday, the local news report said.

NOVA restores idled Moore LDPE plant in Canada

The company says that during the period between the incident in late 2011 and now, it committed resources and capital to not only rebuild the reactor, but also enhance its ability to operate more safely and reliably, with a streamlined product slate to better serve customers.