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Americas

SNC-Lavalin wins management work in Venezuela for PDVSA gas projects

SNC-Lavalin has signed a project management contract with PDVSA for the Delta Caribe Oriental Project. SNC-Lavalin will supervise the work of contractors who will be providing engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning for offshore and onshore gas facilities.

DuPont launches new innovation center in Brazil

US-based chemicals major DuPont has opened a new Innovation Center in Brazil with the goal of leveraging DuPont’s global science powerhouse to help meet local needs. The company opened one such center earlier this month in Mexico and four others last year in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and India.

Chevron blasts "outrageous" Brazil oil spill charges

Chevron responded sharply to the criminal charges that were filed against it and some of its executives in Brazil, saying the company is a "scapegoat" in a broader dispute over the country's oil wealth. The company said the charges "were outrageous and without merit" and that it plans to defend itself vigorously.

Jacobs wins design, equipment deal in Canada for new sulfuric acid plant

Jacobs won a contract from Teck Metals to design and supply a new sulfuric acid plant for its Trail operation located in British Columbia. The deal includes the design of the complete sulfuric acid plant contact section, including catalytic DeNO(x) system, as well as supply of all equipment and majority of materials.

Enterprise to expand NGL fractionation in Texas

Enterprise Products said Tuesday that it plans to construct two more natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionators at its complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas, giving it 150,000 bpd of additional fractionation capacity. The process of obtaining the necessary permits is already underway, the company said.

Brazil prosecutor files criminal charges in Chevron oil spill case

A federal prosecutor in Brazil will file criminal charges Wednesday against executives from US oil major Chevron and drilling-rig operator Transocean, charging the employees with environmental crimes related to an offshore spill in November. A federal judge will decide whether to bring the charges to trial.

US to exempt EU, Japan on Iran oil sanctions

The US has decided to grant exemptions to Japan and 10 European Union (EU) countries under a new set of Iran oil sanctions, a key lawmaker said. Aimed at shutting down Iran's nuclear program, the sanctions target financial institutions that do business with Iran's Central Bank, a main conduit for Iran's oil sales.

Romney to attack Obama over US gasoline prices

An improving job market is prompting Mitt Romney to focus on rising gas prices as evidence President Obama has mismanaged the economy. Obama's political team is concerned rising gas prices will diminish some of the political advantage the president may gain from the improving economy.

Shaw, Total form global alliance on polystyrene

The Shaw Group said Monday that it formed an exclusive alliance with Total Petrochemicals to jointly market and license Total’s polystyrene technology on a worldwide basis. Shaw has had a similar alliance with Total Petrochemicals for styrene monomer, the primary feedstock for polystyrene, for 15 years.

Valero to shut Aruba refinery by end of March

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

The Texas-based refiner says it will suspend operations at the 235,000 bpd Aruba refinery by the end of the month because weak margins have led to financial losses.