Americas
API trade group adopts pipeline safety principles
The American Petroleum Institute says the eight liquid pipeline safety principles are zero incidents, organization-wide commitment, a culture of safety, continuous improvement, learning from experience, systems for success, employing technology and communicating with stakeholders.
ExxonMobil licenses methanol-gasoline technology to Sundrop biofuels plant
The biomass complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, will gasify forest waste supplemented with hydrogen produced from natural gas to make synthesis gas. The syngas then will be converted to methanol and fed into the MTG process, producing 3,500 bpd of renewable gasoline.
EPA emissions ruling may threaten US coal sector
Fitch Ratings says the US federal appeals court decision to uphold EPA's greenhouse gas rules will limit the use of coal and increase reliance on other fuels, like natural gas. Fitch says the decision will severely constrain the construction of future coal-fired plants.
Talisman exits Sasol Canada gas-to-liquids project following study
After participating in Sasol Canada's feasibility study for a GTL (gas-to-liquids) facility, Talisman Energy has decided not to proceed with the next phase of the project. "After careful consideration, we have concluded that there are better ways to allocate capital in support of our strategy," said John A. Manzoni, CEO.
Dow picks Pennsylvania site for chemical R&D hub
Dow Chemical has chosen Collegeville, Pa., as the site for a new research and development facility that will open in early 2013. The site is currently owned by pharmaceutical company Pfizer.
Valero idles two US ethanol plants on low margins
Valero suspended production last week at its Albion, Neb., ethanol plant, while its Linden, Ind., facility shut down production on Tuesday. Each plant has the capacity to produce 120 million gal/year of ethanol.
Wison, Hyundai nab EPC contract for Puerto la Cruz refinery in Venezuela
Consortium Hyundai-Wison will carry out engineering, procurement, construction and start-up assistance of the environmental units, auxiliary units and revamp of atmospheric distillation units of the deep conversion project. Facilities will be able to process heavy crude oil, with a capacity of 210,000 bpd.
ExxonMobil CEO bemoans natural gas pricing
ExxonMobil is making "no money" on US natural gas due to low prices that have fallen below the cost of production. "We are losing our shirts," said company CEO Rex Tillerson.
Brazil ethanol industry needs years to recover lost production, says IEA
Brazil's ethanol industry will take several years to recover from recent production setbacks due to aging agricultural infrastructure and economic uncertainties, an official at the International Energy Agency said. Brazil's growers are struggling to bounce back from a bad crop in 2011-12
BP probes blast at Colorado gas compressor plant
One contract worker was killed and two injured after a Monday explosion at BP's gas compressor station near Durango, Colorado. BP said it continues to investigate the cause of the incident.
- 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
