Americas
Petrobras reportedly in talks to buy Manguinhos refinery in Brazil
Brazil's government-run oil company Petrobras, is in talks to buy the local privately-owned refinery Refinaria de Petroleo Manguinhos SA for at least 2 billion Brazilian reais ($1.1 billion), a local newspaper said over the weekend. Petrobras and Manguinhos officials weren't immediately reached for comment.
Dow Chemical to close plants amid cost cuts, cites weak Europe economy
Dow will shut down three insulation products plants as well as idle a plant in Terneuzen, The Netherlands. The company is also closing its TDI plant in Camaçari, Brazil.
Foster Wheeler inks global services pact with Dow
Foster Wheeler has signed a strategic umbrella agreement with Dow Chemical for the provision of project management, consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and construction services. The deal offers support by Foster Wheeler to selected Dow global capital projects, the companies said.
Chevron Phillips to build on-purpose 1-hexene plant at Texas complex
Chevron Phillips will build the world’s largest on-purpose 1-hexene plant, capable of producing up to 250,000 tpy (551,000,000 lbs) at its Cedar Bayou chemical complex in Baytown, Texas. The project is anticipated to start up during the first quarter of 2014. Costs were not disclosed.
CB&I wins $50mn deal for Canadian oil sands work
CB&I said Monday that has been awarded a contract, valued in excess of $50 million, for an oil sands project in Canada. The scope of work primarily includes the assembly of coke drums and a fractionator tower, according to the company. Details on the oil sands producer were not disclosed.
Alternate feedstock options for petrochemicals: A roadmap
New hydrocarbons will be needed to meet future demand
Optimize olefin operations
This operating company used process models to find solutions to poor separation performance
Operational optimization for mixed-refrigerant systems
Use rigorous simulation to improve process efficiency
Understand multi-stage pumps and sealing options: Part 2
As more processes involve high-pressure, toxic, flammable, lethal or explosive pumping services, better knowledge of rotating equipment options can boost productivity.
Use better designed turboexpanders to handle flashing fluids
New models eliminate vibration problems and improve process reliability

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