Americas
November US chemical activity barometer slides half a percent
The November CAB showed a sharp, 0.5% drop over the previous month. The abrupt decline follows four consecutive monthly gains.
LNG mobile fueling unit successfully demonstrated
The Linde mobile fueler allows customers to test the feasibility of using LNG as an alternative to fuels such as diesel.
Operational improvements proposed at Pine Bend refinery
The projects are expected to improve reliability, reduce key emissions and improve the refinery's ability to convert crude oil into transportation fuels.
Shell sees inflation, politics capping LNG exports
Inflation and US domestic politics are likely to limit the amount of LNG exported from proposed projects in North America to around 60 MMtpy to 70 MMtpy over the next decade, Royal Dutch Shell's chief financial officer, Simon Henry, said.
BridgeTex pipeline to deliver crude from Permian Basin to Houston Gulf Coast
The pipeline will transport up to 300,000 bpd of crude oil, with access to Houston Ship Channel refineries, Texas City refineries and other refineries throughout the Gulf Coast.
California business group files suit against state 'cap-and-trade' scheme
The California Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate California’s "cap-and-trade" auction, arguing that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) exceeded the authority granted to it under state law (AB 32) in establishing the revenue-raising program.
Repsol looks to Argentina for YPF compensation
The chairman of Spanish oil major Repsol said the company hopes to arrive at an agreement with the Argentinean government for the nationalization of Repsol subsidiary YPF in April. Argentina seized control of YPF after accusing Repsol of not investing enough in the unit.
REG makes second US biodiesel facility acquisition in three weeks
The US-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced the purchase of a 15-MMgpy biodiesel production plant near Atlanta, Georgia. The company has not yet set a production date for the restart of the facility, which has operated intermittently since January 2008.
LSB Industries to cut output at Alabama ammonia plant after pipe rupture
The company said early estimates point to a three- to five-month outage at the ammonia plant, depending on lead times for repair parts. Until then, the Cherokee Nitrogen facility can produce a limited amount of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate solution from purchased ammonia.
US oil demand lowest for October since 1995 – API
Demand was the weakest in October in 17 years, while year-to-date figures are down 2.1% from 2011. "For many months, we’ve seen variations on the same theme: weak demand versus a year ago and some of the weaker demand numbers over the past decade,” said API chief economist John Felmy.
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