Americas
IEA warns that high oil prices are hurting economy, seeks additional supply for refiners
The governing board of the International Energy Agency (IEA) says it has serious concerns that that the rise in oil prices is constraining the global economic recovery. In a statement issued on Thursday, the board said there was a “clear, urgent need for additional supplies on a more competitive basis to be made available to refiners to prevent a further tightening of the market”, particularly given the seasonal increase in demand from May to August.
Fuel prices unlikely to deter Memorial Day travel – US auto group
The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the approaching Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight increase of 0.2% – or 100,000 travelers – from the 34.8 million people who traveled one year ago.
US predicts active 2011 hurricane season, may threaten Gulf refiners, petchems
The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued on Thursday from the US National Weather Service, potentially threatening refining and petrochemical operations along the US Gulf coast and eastern seaboard.
US Senate blocks two oil bills as Democrats, GOP clash over gas prices
Two oil-related bills were blocked this week in the US Senate along partisan lines, as Democrats and Republicans continue to propose differing solutions to reduce retail fuel prices.
Honeywell to buy US phenol/acetone plant from Sunoco for $85mn
US refiner Sunoco said on Wednesday that it has agreed to sell its 1 billion pounds/year phenol and acetone manufacturing facility in Philadelphia for $85mn to Honeywell.
BASF awards Technip with umbrella contract for chemical project work
Germany-based chemical major BASF awarded Technip with an umbrella contract for engineering services on its chemical and petrochemical projects. Both companies are contemplating a long-term partnership, they said, which would provide BASF access to the resources of Technip for its capital investments notably in Europe, but also in other regions.
Shaw renews contract with Albemarle for engineering work at US specialty chemical sites
The Shaw Group said on Wednesday that it renewed a contract with Albemarle to provide maintenance, engineering, construction, reliability, operations and other labor services at Albemarle's specialty chemicals manufacturing locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
CB&I wins $50mn Canadian oil sands project
Engineering and construction firm CB&I said on Wednesday that it won a $50mn project to build storage tanks at a Canadian oil sands project near Fort McMurray, Alberta.
BP, Conoco discontinue $35 billion Alaska gas pipeline project
The $35 billion Denali - Alaska Gas Pipeline venture between subsidiaries of BP and ConocoPhillips has been discontinued due to a lack of customer interest, according to officials.
Motiva picks KBR to build coker for refinery expansion in Port Arthur, Texas
KBR announced that its subsidiary Roberts & Schaefer (R&S) has been selected to construct a petroleum coker (pet coke) material handling system for Motiva’s refinery expansion project in Port Arthur, Texas.
- HIF Global and German eFuel One GmbH sign HoA for e-methanol offtake 2/20
- Venezuela's refineries boost processing to 35% of capacity 2/20
- New Trinidad gas projects could provide necessary feedstock for country's petchem and LNG sectors 2/20
- MK-Polymer delivers ethylene-propylene rubber to JSC Kazenergokabel 2/20
- Mexican authorities shut down 22-m long tunnel used in illegal smuggling of fuel supplies 2/20
- Digital Feature: First-stage ejector nozzle retrofit achieves meaningful performance improvement 2/20
