Americas
Eastman Chemical wins EU approval for Solutia buy
The European Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition of Solutia by Eastman Chemical, the competition watchdog group said. The merger is not expected to result in any substantial change in the markets concerned since Solutia is not a customer of Eastman in the EEA.
Memorial Day holiday travel projected higher in US, may raise gasoline demand
The American Automobile Association (AAA) group projects 34.8 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, an increase of 1.2% from a year ago. The survey found 53% said recent increases in gasoline prices would not impact their plans.
Total Safety wins top contractor safety award from Houston business group
Global safety services company Total Safety was honored this month by the Houston Business Roundtable with a “Best in Category” safety award from a field that included 134 companies. Total Safety won in the “Technical Support - Large” category and was nominated by several customers.
Husky union workers call for strike at Ohio refinery
Union workers have called a strike at the Husky Energy refinery in Lima, Ohio, leaving the refiner's management to run the 150,000 bpd plant, the USW union said Friday.
US refiners set to begin exports to West Africa
The US industry will soon expand its exporting to include gasoline sales to West Africa, predicts Valero CEO Bill Klesse. "That's something we haven't seen before," he said.
Dow wins $2bn in damages from failed Kuwait JV
The International Court of Arbitration awarded damages to Dow of $2.16 billion, not including interest and costs. Kuwait ruled in December 2008, at the peak of the global recession, that the Petrochemical Industries Company of Kuwait (PIC) should withdraw from the planned olefins and polyethylene venture.
Petrobras targets domestic market for refining unit
Costs associated with transporting oil products to hubs in Europe, the US and Asia make it less practical than using production domestically in Brazil, an executive said.
Shell awards Jacobs mechanical maintenance deal for Canada operations
Jacobs Engineering Group said it received a five-year contract from Shell to provide main mechanical maintenance services to its Canadian operations. Under the terms of the deal, Jacobs is performing mechanical maintenance, including small capital project construction and turnaround activities.
UK investor warns shale gas industry on emissions
One of Europe's largest institutional investors warned the shale gas industry to do more to prevent the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane during drilling, which is undermining its basis as a cleaner alternative to coal. Comments were directed primarily at drilling operations in the US.
BP to pay $400mn for pollution controls in Whiting refinery settlement with US
BP has agreed to pay an $8 million penalty and invest more than $400 million to install pollution controls and cut emissions from its petroleum refinery in Whiting, Indiana, according to the US EPA. The Whiting refinery has an operating capacity of 405,000 bpd, making it the 6th-largest in the US.
- 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
