Americas
NPRA blasts US role in opening of oil reserves
The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) criticized the decision by the Obama administration to contribute 30 million bbl of oil from US strategic reserves, part of 60 million bbl to be tapped by International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries.
US natgas firm Williams outbids Energy Transfer on proposed Southern Union acquisition
Williams said Thursday that it is offering $39/share in cash for all outstanding shares of Southern Union, making for a total enterprise value of $8.7 billion.
Sasol picks Foster Wheeler for technical study of Canada gas-to-liquids project
Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract by Sasol to perform the technical portion of a feasibility study for a planned gas-to-liquids facility in Canada, on behalf of the Sasol/Talisman Energy partnership.
Eastman to acquire US plasticizer, acetic acid firm Sterling Chemicals for $100mn
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire Sterling Chemicals, a single site North American petrochemical producer, for $100 million in cash, subject to modest deductions at closing as provided in the merger agreement.
Energy Transfer, Regency to build 530-mile NGL pipeline in Texas
Energy Transfer and Regency Energy will construct an approximately 530-mile natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline in Texas through their Lone Star NGL joint venture.
Transocean blames BP in new Gulf oil spill report
Transocean announced the release of an internal investigation report on the causes of the April 2010 Macondo well incident in the Gulf of Mexico, blaming rig operator BP for failing to properly assess, manage and communicate risk to its contractors.
Motiva to build rail facility for ethanol at Florida site
Motiva Enterprises said it has reached an agreement with Vecenergy to construct a fuel-grade ethanol rail offloading facility at the Motiva terminal in Port Everglades, Florida. The expanded operations will allow for the delivery of ethanol unit trains directly into existing Motiva storage tanks, the company said.
Dow Chemical picks Fluor for engineering on Texas propane dehydrogenation expansion
Fluor has been awarded a contract by Dow Chemical to provide basic engineering and design services on its propane dehydrogenation (PDH) expansion project in Freeport, Texas.
Weatherford, BP reach Gulf oil spill settlement
Oilfield equipment maker Weatherford agreed to pay BP $75 million to settle potential claims between the companies related to the Deepwater Horizon accident.
Wood Group wins $15mn deal for gas turbine maintenance in Argentina
Wood Group GTS has signed a six-year contract with PlusPetrol Energy S.A to provide maintenance services for two General Electric Frame 9E DLN-1 gas turbines at the Central Termica San Miguel de Tucuman power plant in El Bracho, Argentina.

- Britain will not bail out bioethanol industry hit by Trump trade deal 8/15
- Russian energy facilities targeted recently in drone attacks 8/15
- Shell: Norco, Louisiana (U.S.) refinery gasoline unit work to start on Friday 8/15
- Sanctions-hit Indian refiner Nayara in talks with govt to sustain operations 8/15
- The API challenges Trump plan to cut biofuel import credits 8/15
- IAG selects record 29 startups for accelerator program 8/15