Americas
Mexichem eyes US ethylene venture with OxyChem
Mexichem said it signed a memorandum of understanding with OxyChem on July 30 to build a cracker that would produce 500,000 tpy of ethylene. Most of ethylene would be used by OxyChem at its plant in Ingleside, Texas, to produce 1 million tpy of vinyl chloride, a raw material used in the production of PVC.
Materia extends global catalysts distribution pact with Sigma-Aldrich
Materia’s olefin metathesis catalyst technology enables chemical compounds to be synthesized with greater efficiency, under less stringent reaction conditions, and with reduced byproducts and hazardous waste, according to the company. Financial details were not disclosed.
EPA to propose US biofuel fraud fix by end of 2012
Refiners and oil importers are required to buy certain amounts of fuel made from plants every year under a 2005 law designed to reduce US oil imports. But the market has been in turmoil since last year, when it became clear that some companies were selling fraudulent numbers.
Invista to expand aromatic polyester polyols plants in Netherlands, US
The investments involve upgrades to boost global production volumes of the Terate HT polyols product line to help meet growing global demand for INVISTA’s aromatic polyester polyols, according to the company. Financial commitment for the expansions will be in the "millions of dollars".
Flash fire injures contractors at BP Indiana refinery
When the fire ignited, the three injured contractors were performing maintenance work on a 105,000 bpd hydrotreater, according to news agency Reuters. BP said the three contractors were in stable condition at a local hospital. Two were being treated for burns and one for smoke inhalation.
Methanex awards plant engineering deal to Jacobs for Chile-to-US relocation
Jacobs is already executing site-specific engineering and construction management for the 225-acre location in Geismar, La. from its offices in Baton Rouge, with support for the disassembly from its office in Santiago, Chile. The plant is expected to be operational the second half of 2014.
Calumet to buy gasoline, middle distillates producer Montana Refining
The deal should close in the 2012 fourth quarter. Montana Refining owns and operates a 9,800 bpd refinery in Great Falls, Montana. The refinery has a complexity rating of 9.3, with crude oil feedstocks sourced primarily from Canada. It produces gasoline, middle distillates and asphalt.
Invista, LanzaTech to jointly develop bio-butadiene
According to the deal, INVISTA and LanzaTech will collaborate on projects to develop one-step and two-step technologies to convert industrial waste gas carbon monoxide into butadiene, the companies said. Initial commercialization is expected in 2016. Investment terms were not disclosed.
Tesoro buys BP refinery, logistics in California for $2.5 billion
Upon regulatory approval, Tesoro will acquire the 266,000 bpd Carson refinery near Los Angeles along with a related logistics network of pipelines and storage terminals.
US safety board launches full investigation into Chevron refinery fire
A CSB team with seven investigators arrived at the refinery last Wednesday and has since been conducting witness interviews and reviewing documents at the site. Important issues include understanding why the pipe that later failed was kept in service during a late 2011 maintenance turnaround.
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- ABS approves blue ammonia FPSO concept from SBM Offshore 9/12
- Pakistan's top refiner Cnergyico to boost fuel oil exports as domestic sales plummet 9/12
- E20 fuel safe but curbs vehicle performance, Mahindra executive says 9/12
- Canada may drop oil emissions cap as part of new climate plan 9/12
