Americas
US shale boom to spur manufacturing growth, but not energy independence
The US currently imports approximately half its daily consumption of 19 million bpd of oil and remains both the largest importer and consumer of oil. Conservation and the shale revolution would not eliminate upward pressure on prices from rising emerging market demand.
Methanex to temporarily shut down Chile plant amid poor gas supply
Methanex is currently operating one plant in Chile at low operating rates. In 2013, planned output from this plant represents less than 5% of the company's total production, CEO John Floren said.
Chevron sees weaker US, global refining margins
During the first two months of the fourth quarter, US refinery crude-input volumes decreased by 77,000 bpd compared to the third quarter, driven primarily by the continued shutdown of the Richmond, California refinery crude unit. International refinery crude-input volumes increased 9,000 bpd.
Tesoro to convert Hawaii refinery to import terminal
Tesoro had been trying to sell the 94,000 bpd refinery since January 2012 because of eroding profit margins. The conversion to an import facility, expected to occur in April, will allow Tesoro to cut costs related to processing fuel there while still allowing the company to distribute fuel in the state.
TransCanada chosen for Canadian pipeline project to LNG export terminal
Calgary, Alberta-based TransCanada said it expects to finalize definitive agreements for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project early this year. The proposed pipeline will transport natural gas primarily from the North Montney gas-producing region near Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Foster Wheeler acquires US biotech construction firm Yonkers Industries
The 30-year-old, US-based company specializes in the management of construction and commissioning of pharmaceutical and biotech facilities, with capabilities to also manage the full EPCm (engineering, procurement and construction management) of such facilities.
Dow restarts long-idled Louisiana olefins cracker
According to Dow, the St. Charles plant located near Hanville, La., began producing on-spec ethylene on Dec. 25, meeting previously announced goals to restart the site by the end of 2012. The St. Charles cracker, which was idled in January 2009, reportedly has a capacity of 380,000 tpy.
Phillips 66 signs oil-by-rail contract for Bayway refinery in New Jersey
The contract with Global Partners also cements North Dakota crude's hold in the East Coast refining belt, where two other refiners already get Bakken crude by rail.
Valero venture to construct Texas marine terminal
Valero's marine terminal will receive crude tankers of up to Suezmax class, and will be able to operate without the daylight restrictions imposed on other terminals in the upper Sabine-Neches waterway. The crude dock is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Foster Wheeler expands North American offering of CFB scrubber technology
Although Foster Wheeler has provided this technology globally for more than a year, it was previously offered in North America exclusively through a third party under a licensing arrangement. Foster Wheeler acquired the Graf Wulff CFB scrubber technology due to its flexibility to meet new tightening regulations.
- CNG, NOVA Chemicals collaborate to commercialize recycled polyethylene for sustainable flexible packaging 9/11
- Ecovyst announces agreement to sell its Advanced Materials & Catalyst segment to Technip Energies for $556 MM 9/11
- Toyo awarded revamp contract for gas-chemical complex in Turkmenistan 9/11
- Unified device integration roadmap solidified following FieldComm Group and FDT Group business combination 9/11
- 75% of critical infrastructure organizations endorse ‘secure by operations’ strategy to defend against OT cyberattacks 9/11
- BASF, AkzoNobel and Arkema team up to lower carbon footprint of architectural powder coatings 9/11
