Americas
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.
US growth in tight oil production could reshape Canadian oil sands markets
The US will remain the main market for Canada's oil sands and its import levels are expected to grow, but the destinations and types of imports are likely to be altered.
US weekly ethanol production sinks to record low
The figure was the lowest since the EIA began releasing weekly ethanol production data in mid-2010. It was slightly below the previous low of 785,000 bpd in late September. US ethanol producers have struggled with weak margins since early last year, pressured by several factors.
BP outlook shows North America shale oil boom putting pressure on OPEC
BP's forecasts illustrate the extent to which the North American boom, first in shale gas production and now in shale oil, has redrawn the global energy map. However, the company doesn't expect the shale revolution to spread by 2030 on any great scale to Asia or Europe.
Valero expands Houston refinery for Texas crudes
The move by Valero, the world's largest independent refiner, illustrates how the US crude-oil production boom is displacing crude-oil imports. Valero said by 2015 it will complete the project to add a 90,000 bpd "crude topper" to the refinery. The company will spend up to $280 million on the project.
UK rejects requests to stop Arctic oil, gas drilling
The UK government said that while it recognized the risks of drilling for hydrocarbons in the sensitive Arctic region, high environmental and drilling standards, efforts to enhance oil spill prevention and response mechanisms would be more effective than a complete ban.
- Transitional Industries and CFEnergia sign feedstock supply contract for $3.3-B Pacifico Mexinol project 2/17
- Neste and World Fuel Services extend partnership, expanding SAF availability at more than 100 airports in Europe 2/17
- U.S. refined product exports by tanker increase to > 6.3 MMbpd in January 2/17
- Japan's oil and gas independence climbs to highest since 2009 2/17
- Dangote signs $400-MM equipment deal with China's XCMG to speed up refinery expansion 2/17
- Former Lukoil-owned ISAB refinery in Sicily exits crisis procedure 2/17
