Americas
Hydrocarbon Processing forecasts 2012 global HPI spending to rise to $222 billion
Spending for the hydrocarbon processing industry is expected to exceed $222 billion next year, up 1.1% over 2011 spending, according to information released on Friday at Hydrocarbon Processing magazine's 38th annual HPI Forecast and Breakfast.
Pacific Ethanol to provide operations, maintenance support for ZeaChem US biorefinery
US-based renewable fuels company Pacific Ethanol has agreed to provide operations, maintenance and accounting services for ZeaChem's 250,000 gal/year cellulosic integrated biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon.
LANXESS, BioAmber to partner on bioplasticizers
European specialty chemicals producer LANXESS and sustainable chemicals firm BioAmber have partnered to develop succinic acid-based plasticizers that are both renewable and phthalate-free, the companies announced on Thursday.
US oil drilling increased 16% in third quarter - API
US oil well drilling activity continued to increase in the third quarter of 2011, according to the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) quarterly well completion report for the 2011 third quarter. The report estimates that 6,379 oil wells were completed in third quarter 2011, a 16% increase from year-ago levels.
Global motion control market improves amid strong semiconductors, automotive - study
The worldwide market for general motion control systems increased by a double-digit percentage since 2009, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study. Suppliers who endured as much as 50% declines in business during the downturn reported a tremendous rebound in shipments, the study says. This renewed growth, first felt in Asia, progressively extended to Europe and North America as well.
Enterprise seeks shippers for proposed Texas NGL pipeline expansion
Enterprise Products has started the open season for Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Co., a joint venture partially owned and operated by an Enterprise affiliate, in which it is seeking shipper support for a proposed expansion of the 570-mile Skelly-Belvieu natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline.
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.
- Indonesia's Pertamina to merge refinery, shipping and retail operations 9/12
- BlackRock-led group in talks to raise around $10.3 billion for Aramco deal 9/12
- ABS approves blue ammonia FPSO concept from SBM Offshore 9/12
- Pakistan's top refiner Cnergyico to boost fuel oil exports as domestic sales plummet 9/12
- E20 fuel safe but curbs vehicle performance, Mahindra executive says 9/12
- Canada may drop oil emissions cap as part of new climate plan 9/12
