Americas
Natural gas pipeline explosion injures two, destroys homes in West Virginia
The explosion of a NiSource 20-inch transmission line destroyed five homes and severely damaged others in Kanawha County, about 15 miles north of state capital Charleston. The pipeline has been shut off, allowing emergency crews to approach the scene for further investigation.
Sempra seeks US permit to begin building Cameron LNG export facilities
The net benefits of the project outlined in Sempra's FERC application include creating nearly 3,000 direct jobs in the peak construction year and approximately 130 full-time jobs when fully operational. The US will review the application and conduct an environmental study on the proposal.
Mitsubishi to invest in methanol-to-petrochemicals complex in Trinidad
The project will use 100 million standard cubic feet/day of natural gas to produce among other products di- methyl ether (DME), which can be used in Trinidad as a replacement or blending stock for diesel and liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The target date for the first stage of the project is early 2014.
Enbridge to expand light oil pipeline network from North Dakota, Canada
The program is one of several projects the big Calgary, Alberta company and others have unveiled this year to respond to booming North American energy output, particularly in the continental Midwest, where pipeline constraints have led to bottlenecks and lower prices for the region's crude.
Dow disputes US findings in LNG export study
Dow Chemical says the recently-released report showing a positive economic impact is flawed, misleading, and based on outdated, inaccurate and incomplete data.
DCP unveils new Eagle Ford shale processing plant
The Goliad plant will have gas processing capacity of 200 million cubic feet/day. It will become part of the DCP Eagle Ford system providing Eagle Ford producers one-stop service from the plant tailgate to Gulf Coast market centers. The Goliad plant is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.
BP plans $350mn expansion for Brazil ethanol plant
Processing capacity will double to 5 million tons of sugarcane, thereby producing 450 million litres/year of ethanol equivalent. The mill will be operating at full capacity by the end of 2014 or early 2015.
China calls on West to reduce GHG emissions
Poorer countries argue the West should lead from the front in cutting greenhouse gases because it is largely responsible for the heating of the planet since industrial times. China, the world's top polluter, says it aims to cut its emissions by between 40% and 45% by 2020.
US energy sector poised for rising M&A activity
Volume and value levels in oil and gas are close to 2011 levels with an increase in mega deals led by private-equity funds that have increased their investment and exposure to the energy industry. PwC said it expects deal activity to rise in 2013, with ongoing consolidation in shale plays very likely.
RINA wins engineering, design deal for expansion of Greek LNG terminal
The expansion of the LNG Revithoussa terminal cryogenic facilities will boost the maximum sustainable gas send-out rate to 1400 Nm3/h, with a peak rate of 1650 Nm3/h. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

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- Yara announces possible new ammonia projects in the U.S. 7/21
- U.S. firms to develop Syria energy masterplan after Trump lifts sanctions 7/18
- Russian seaborne diesel exports for July 1–15 fall 6% month-on-month 7/18
- INEOS invests £30 MM to slash emissions at Hull site by 75% 7/18