Asia/Pacific
SABIC, Sinopec in talks with Trinidad to build $5.3bn methanol complex
SABIC and Sinopec have agreed to start negotiations with Trinidad and Tobago to possibly build a $5.3 billion methanol complex in that country. Last month Sabic signed a protocol of cooperation with Sinopec to explore new business opportunities.
Halliburton, Petronas form partnership to develop global shale resources
Halliburton and PETRONAS Carigali have signed an agreement for the evaluation and development of global shale resources, the companies said on Friday. They plan to set up a shale technical center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is where the deal was signed.
JKC venture wins $15bn of engineering work for Ichthys LNG in Australia
KBR said its JKC joint venture with JGC Corp. and Chiyoda Corp. has signed the formal contract for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities on the Ichthys LNG project in northern Australia. The Ichthys LNG project is a joint venture between INPEX (76%, the operator) and Total (24%).
IEA cuts 2012 outlook for global oil demand growth, cites weaker economy
The IEA lowered its estimate for global oil demand growth in 2012 to 800,000 bpd, compared to its previous forecast of 1.1 million bpd amid weaker economic predictions. Global GDP growth is revised down to 3.3% for 2012, from the 4.0% level assumed since September, the agency noted.
Global paints, coatings demand to rise 5.4%/year through 2015 - study
Global demand for paints and coatings is forecast to rise 5.4%/year to 45.6 million metric tons in 2015, according to a new study. The Asia/Pacific region will remain the leading consumer of paint and coatings through 2015, and will also see the most rapid gains, according to the report.
Qatar inks Korea LNG deal as it boosts gas to Asia
Qatar said Thursday it has signed a deal to supply South Korea with 2 million metric tpy of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, for 20 years from 2013, the latest in a string of deals struck over the last two months with energy-hungry Asian countries. RasGas already supplies Kogas with 7 million tpy of LNG.
Saudi Aramco signs 20-year crude supply pact with Korean refiner S-Oil
South Korea-based refiner S-OIL said it signed 20-year long-term crude supply contract with Saudi Aramco. S-OIL’s refining capacity is 669,000 bpd and Saudi Aramco’s total annual supply volume to S-OIL is approximately 230 million bbl in respect of the refiner’s production size.
India boosts Iran oil imports, largely offsets China reduction - sources
India has boosted its imports of Iranian oil, becoming the Islamic Republic's largest customer last month and largely offsetting a cut in Chinese purchases as sanctions fail to dent Tehran's sales for now, people within the oil industry said this week. Iranian crude exports to India were up 37.5% from December.
BP to sell global LPG bottles, tank filling business
BP plans to sell its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottles and tank filling operations in Portugal, UK, Austria, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, China and South Africa, as well as its non refinery-integrated wholesale business. The company expects to complete any deal by the end of 2013.
Global automation groups form single solution for device integration
The five major automation foundations have developed a single common solution for field device integration (FDI). FDI Cooperation’s mandate is to develop a single technology for the management of information that comes from all intelligent devices throughout all areas of the plant.

- Argentina raises biofuel prices for domestic market 7/14
- Technip Energies' develops low-emission furnace design to reduce the carbon footprint of ethylene production 7/14
- Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of U.S. soyoil production next year, USDA says 7/14
- Russia's June seaborne oil product exports down 3.4% m/m 7/14
- Serbia seeks fifth U.S. sanctions waiver for Russian-owned oil firm NIS 7/14
- EIA: U.S. hydrocarbon production supported by export growth in long-term projections 7/14