Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Americas

Chevron warns of weakening downstream results

Chevron expects 2011 fourth-quarter downstream earnings to be down significantly from the third quarter amid lower margins and refinery input volumes. In the US, Gulf coast refining margins fell substantially in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, the company said.

Hoover starts Pecos pipeline work in west Texas

Hoover has begun construction on Phase I of its Pecos Crossing pipeline, a 24-mile crude oil system to serve west Texas with a capacity of up to 120,000 bpd. The Pecos Crossing pipeline is scheduled to be operational in April 2012 and will be the first crude oil pipeline operating south of the Pecos River.

ADM to end US bioplastics alliance with Metabolix

US-based bioscience firm Metabolix announced Thursday that Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has given a termination notice for its role in the companies’ Telles joint venture for PHA bioplastics. ADM said projected financial returns from the alliance were too uncertain.

Enbridge probes possible US Gulf gas pipeline leak

Enbridge is investigating the report of a small natural gas leak in the West Cameron Block 275, located 66 miles off the coast of Louisiana in the US Gulf of Mexico. A three-foot diameter patch of bubbles has been spotted on the surface of the water in the vicinity of the Stingray natural gas pipeline.

Tesoro seeks sale of Hawaii refinery, retail stations

Tesoro is planning to sell its Hawaii operations, including the 94,000 bpd Kapolei refinery, operations at 32 retail stations and all associated logistical assets, according to company officials. The refinery yield is distillate-focused and is complementary to the on-island demand for utility, jet and military fuels.

Enterprise extends shipper commitment period for Appalachia-Texas ethane pipeline

Enterprise Products is extending its open commitment period by two weeks to accommodate additional shipper demand on the partnership’s Appalachia-to-Texas pipeline (ATEX Express). The open commitment period began Wednesday morning and will close on the afternoon of Monday, January 23.

US oil coalition urges Obama to allow Keystone XL

The American Petroleum Institute (API) along with more than a hundred industry organizations sent a letter to President Obama urging him to swiftly approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline. API said it would also launch a new TV ad that will run in key states.

EIA hikes 2012 WTI oil price outlook to $100.25/bbl

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Tuesday raised its 2012 oil price forecast by more than $2/bbl to $100.25/bbl, saying it assumes the US economy grows 1.8% this year. In last month's report, the EIA expected 2012 West Texas Intermediate crude to average $98/bbl

ExxonMobil reports emissions, flaring at Beaumont refinery in Texas

ExxonMobil on Monday said operations at its oil refinery in Beaumont, Texas, had returned to normal following a gas compressor problem the day before. The Beaumont refinery has a capacity of 344,000 bpd.

Maintenance continues at BP Texas City refinery alkylation unit - source

Routine maintenance at an alkylation unit is ongoing at BP’s oil refinery in Texas City, Texas, a person familiar with operations at the plant said on Monday. The refinery is able to process up to 406,570 bpd of crude oil.