Americas
Valero shuts Meraux refinery in Louisiana after fire
The exchanger caught fire at about 1:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to a report filed with the US National Response Center. All units will remain down while repairs are made to the crude unit and related utilities. Valero did not give a timetable for repairs or a possible restart.
US oil, fuel demand falls amid weak economy - API
Gasoline demand tracked the overall numbers, declining 2.5% for June versus a year ago and 1.0% for the first six months of this year against the same period in 2011, the API said. Distillates, jet fuel, and residual fuel were also down for the first six months, while distillates and residual fuel were down for June.
Enbridge to spend up to $500mn more on Canada pipeline safety features
The company's plan to build an oil pipeline from Alberta to a port in Kitimat, British Columbia, for export overseas faces opposition within the province, including from native groups and environmental organizations. Northern Gateway would ship up to 525,000 bpd and is scheduled for a 2017 startup.
Alberta to review pipeline safety after recent spills
Mr. Hughes requested that Alberta's energy regulator, the Energy Resources Conservation Board, work with an independent third party to review pipeline safety and accident response, according to a government statement. Alberta is the largest oil-and-gas-producing province in Canada.
Williams to explore building Canada's first propane dehydrogenation plant
A new PDH facility, which would be the first in Canada, would allow Williams to significantly increase its production of polymer-grade propylene (PGP) from Canadian operations. Williams is the only company in Canada producing PGP, a petrochemical feedstock used in plastics manufacturing.
US appeals court upholds EPA sulfur dioxide rules
The rule had been challenged by the National Environmental Development Association's Clean Air Project, a trade group representing ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, General Electric and several other major companies. Meanwhile, environmental groups had joined the EPA in defending the rule.
PdVSA awards Venezuela refinery expansion work to Foster Wheeler, Toyo
Foster Wheeler will execute the project in consortium with Toyo Engineering Corp. from Japan and Y & V Ingeniería y Construcción from Venezuela. The consortium previously completed the front-end engineering design for the project. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
PPG, Georgia Gulf merge commodity chemical units
Following completion of the deal, which is expected to occur in late 2012 or early 2013, the combined company is expected to have annual revenues of approximately $5 billion and be the third-largest chlor-alkali producer and second-largest vinyl chloride monomer producer in North America.
Pemex awards reliability system work to Penspen
Under the terms of the agreement, Penspen says it and other groups will assist in the development of a plan for managing the integrity and reliability of transmission pipelines, gathering pipelines, onshore pipelines, offshore pipelines, storage terminals and maritime terminals.
US court upholds air quality rule against oil lawsuit
Tuesday's ruling from the US Court of Appeals marks a win for the Obama administration and environmental groups that supported the two-year-old standards for nitrogen dioxide, or NO2. The API claimed the rule was illegal because it went beyond what was needed to protect public health.
- Envision Energy powers world's first green marine ammonia bunkering 7/25
- New catalyst breakthrough could make clean ammonia easier to produce 7/25
- U.S. Gulf refiners seek Middle East, S. American oil to offset Venezuela, Mexico losses 7/25
- CEO of Russia-backed Indian refiner Nayara resigns after EU sanctions 7/25
- PetroChina makes FID for new northeast refinery complex 7/25
- Valero Energy beats Q2 profit estimates as refining margins improve 7/24
