Americas
Foster Wheeler, Hyundai win design deal for new PdVSA Venezuela refinery
Foster Wheeler’s scope of work includes early detailed engineering design and the delivery of an open book estimate for the crude distillation unit, storage and blending unit and fuel distribution plant. The main release of the detailed engineering design work will be booked at a later date.
Total Safety joins top winners in US safety awards
Nominees had to demonstrate support from management and employee involvement in the company’s safety and health program as well as provide innovative solutions to safety challenges. Total Safety CEO David Fanta said his company was “truly honored” and gave credit to employees.
Airgas plans new Chicago industrial gases plant
The air separation unit, which will produce more than 400 tpd of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, is expected to begin production in the fall of 2014. “The market for atmospheric gases is very strong in the Midwest and we fully expect it to continue,” said Michael Molinini, Airgas CEO.
BP may sell Texas City refinery to Marathon
BP and Marathon Petroleum have been in talks for months, a news report says, with one source claiming the 400,780 bpd refinery could be sold for up to $2.5 billion.
IEA aims to halve road transport fuel use by 2050
In two reports published Wednesday, the IEA said there was massive potential for fuel efficiency improvements to reduce demand for transport fuels by 2050, even if the number of road vehicles doubles in the same period. The reports highlight technology available or about to enter the mainstream market.
Death toll rises to 29 after Pemex gas compression plant fire in Tamaulipas
The fire broke out in the late morning at a gas-reception center located on a highway that runs from the northern city of Monterrey to the border city of Reynosa. The facility receives natural gas and condensates from the Burgos production complex for transfer to its gas and petrochemical division.
Valero restarts US ethanol plants as margins swell
Valero idled operations in Nebraska and Indiana in June, citing unprofitable returns. Each plant has the capacity to produce 120 million gal/year of ethanol. “Ethanol margins improved to the point where it became feasible to operate the plants again,” said Bill Day, Valero spokesman.
Canada looks to Asian markets amid LNG glut in US
A decade-long boom in US production of natural gas drove prices to a record low of $1.91 per million British thermal units in April, and has created more energy independence for the US, which is virtually Canada's only energy export market. Thus, Canada has set its sights on energy-hungry Asian markets.
Fire at Pemex gas plant in Mexico kills 10 workers
Pemex said the fire broke out late in the morning and was contained just after midday. Rescue teams shut down the valves at the reception station and Pemex sent a special team of firefighters to control the blaze. Pemex said Tuesday afternoon that it had confirmed 10 deaths as a result of the accident.
ONEOK seeks shippers for proposed Bakken Shale to Oklahoma crude pipeline
The Bakken Crude Express Pipeline is a proposed 1,300-mile crude-oil pipeline with the capacity to transport 200,000 bpd of light-sweet crude oil from multiple points in the Williston Basin in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota and Montana to the crude-oil market hub in Cushing, Okla.
- 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

