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

Americas

Enterprise starts up new NGL fractionator in Texas

Enterprise Products said on Tuesday that its fifth natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionator at its complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas, has begun commercial operations and is operating in excess of its nameplate capacity of 75,000 bpd. The new unit increases total nameplate capacity at the partnership’s Mont Belvieu facility to 380,000 bpd.

Arkema picks Jacobs for engineering, construction on US petrochemical projects

Jacobs Engineering has received a contract from Arkema to provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services for two projects at its complex in Clear Lake, Texas. The first is for an acrylic acid expansion and the second a methyl acrylate project, company officials said.

Global flowmeter market surging in 2011 amid high energy business - study

The worldwide market for flowmeters declined in 2010 but is expected to strongly rebound in 2011, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study. Despite a challenging year, suppliers saw strong order taking in 2010, which bodes well for the market in the years ahead. Indeed, sales of major flowmeter technologies will move at brisk, above average rates as the market recovers in 2011 and 2012.

Anadarko pays $4bn to BP to settle Gulf spill claims

BP said on Monday that it had reached agreement with Anadarko Petroleum on a $4 billion deal to settle all claims between the companies related to the Deepwater Horizon accident and resulting Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010.

Unilever inks renewable oils deal with Solazyme for use in consumer goods

Consumer goods company Unilever has agreed to a multi-year supply deal with US-based Solazyme in which Unilever will purchase commercial quantities of Solazyme’s renewable oils. Specific terms were not disclosed.

Enterprise sells US gas storage complex for $550m

Enterprise Products has agreed to sell its Mississippi natural gas storage facilities to Boardwalk HP Storage Co. for $550 million. The Mississippi facilities have approximately 29 billion cubic feet of total storage capacity.

US jobs report overlooks potential of oil, gas - API

American Petroleum Institute (API) executive vice president Marty Durbin said a recently-released interim report by President Barack Obama’s jobs council overlooks potential jobs in the oil and natural gas industry, one of the country's strongest job creators.

Plastics compounder A Schulman sees increased buying from Europe

US-based plastics compounder A. Schulman said Friday that it expects to report earnings of about $58 million for its fiscal year ended August 31, up from prior projections of between $50 million and $52 million of adjusted net income for the year.

US chemical group praises House bill to delay EPA boiler emissions rules

The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) on Friday commended the US House of Representatives for passing the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011, thereby providing the agency with more time to re-propose key rules affecting SOCMA members, the group said.

Dow lauds US Congress for free trade agreements

Dow Chemical on Thursday congratulated the US House and Senate for passing the US-Colombia, South Korea and Panama Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). “This is an historic step forward for the US and our economy, as America has now made great strides in re-establishing its commitment to open trade, global markets and leadership on high-standard trade agreements," said CEO Andrew Liveris.