Americas
Plains to buy five crude oil rail terminals in US
The deal includes three crude-oil rail loading terminals in the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Niobrara producing regions, a rail unloading terminal at St. James, La., and a project to construct a crude oil unloading terminal near Bakersfield, Calif. Plains expects to complete the purchase before the year end.
US study shows LNG exports can benefit economy
The long-awaited study, twice delayed by the Energy Department, will help the Obama administration decide whether to approve more than a dozen proposals to export US natural gas. The study delivers a solid endorsement of natural-gas exports at a time when the issue is hotly debated.
BASF North American CEO predicts weak global demand for 2013
The CEO said that low US natural gas prices were, on margin, a reason to consider more investment in chemical manufacture. The possibility of exporting lower-cost chemicals to foreign markets was less feasible because there was insufficient infrastructure to transport chemicals for shipping.
US ethylene costs fall to lowest level since August
US ethylene prices ended November at 50.375 cents/lb, down from 54.5 cents/lb at the end of October and close to the previous low on August 9 of 50.125 cents/lb. Ethane and propane, two of the raw materials used to make ethylene, also saw price decreases in November.
Progress, Petronas move to design phase for LNG export proposal in Canada
The big energy companies, which are awaiting Canadian government approval for their multibillion dollar tie-up, said a detailed feasibility study for the proposed facility has been completed and the project is now moving into the pre front-end engineering design, or pre-FEED, phase.
US monthly oil production climbs to 14-year high
Such statistics reflect the US's growing role as a dominant energy producer. Earlier this year, the International Energy Agency said the US could overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's largest oil producer by 2020 - a trend that would transform global energy markets as well as international politics.
Valero worker dies in chemical exposure incident at Memphis refinery
The accident occurred when an equipment failure released a hazardous chemical inside the refinery, leading to chemical burns when a small glass window shattered in an alkylation unit. Local fire department officials said the workers were exposed to a mixture of propane and hydrofluoric acid.
Innospec withdraws bid for petrochemical firm TPC
Innospec said it spent a great deal of time and effort studying the business of US-based TPC and, while still believing that it is a good fit with Innospec, parties were unable to conclude a deal structure in a manner with satisfactory value creation for Innospec shareholders.
Sasol advances to FEED stage on huge Louisiana GTL plant, ethane cracker
Sasol is beginning engineering and design work for what would be the first US refinery to convert natural gas into diesel. The facilities would be built in Westlake, Louisiana. Sasol said it will make a final investment decision on the plant in 2014, after the engineering and design review is finished.
Ecolab to exclude refining solutions business from Champion Technologies deal
Champion's downstream process and water solutions business will be spun-off to Permian shareholders prior to the Ecolab acquisition. As such, Ecolab will not be acquiring those specific operations. 2011 sales for the downstream business, which primarily serves refineries, were about $50 million.
- Europe's chemical industry seeks a lifeboat to stay in business 7/21
- BlackRock-led group set to invest in $10 billion Aramco Jafurah infrastructure deal 7/21
- Yara announces possible new ammonia projects in the U.S. 7/21
- German chemical lobby VCI sees no sector recovery before 2026 7/21
- India's Numaligarh Refinery extends key green hydrogen tender date amid Assam policy uncertainty 7/21
- Hynfra and JK Srivastava Group to build $4-B green hydrogen and ammonia hub in India 7/21
