Asia/Pacific
PetroChina in talks with Shell, Hess about shale oil joint venture
PetroChina, China's largest energy producer, is in talks with Royal Dutch Shell and Hess Corp. about forming a joint venture to develop shale oil in the Santanghu Basin in northwestern Xinjiang province. China had an estimated 354 billion bbl of shale oil resources as of 2008, the World Energy Council said.
Crane launches Chinese website for energy flow solutions business
CRANE Energy Flow Solutions, a global provider of highly-engineered fluid handling solutions, this week launched its Chinese website module. “The introduction of our website content in Chinese represents CRANE’s commitment to customer service and satisfaction,” said Pines Wang with CRANE China.
Rockwood opens surface treatment plant in India, targets automotive industry
Chemetall Surface Treatment, the global metal surface treatment business of Rockwood, has invested in a new state-of-the-art production plant in Chennai, India, in response to rising demand for local products. The design and construction of the plant set new benchmarks in safety and quality, the company said.
RPM buys Australian automotive, specialty coatings company HiChem
RPM International has acquired HiChem Paint Technologies, a leading Australian manufacturer of automotive aftermarket coatings, as well as specialty coatings for industrial applications and home maintenance. HiChem has annual sales of approximately $23 million.
BP, Statoil intrigued by Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline
UK oil major BP and Norway's Statoil are interested in joining the Trans-Anatolian pipeline project to carry Central Asian natural gas across Turkey to Europe. A BP spokesman said it had been asked by Socar whether it might be interested in taking a share in the project and that it is "considering the proposal."
Fluor to design Petronas LNG terminal in Malaysia
Fluor was awarded a contract by Petronas to provide front-end engineering and design (FEED) services for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal in Malaysia. Fluor booked the undisclosed contract value in the first quarter of 2012. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Sabic, Sinopec begin building $1.7bn China PC plant
The joint venture between Sabic and Sinopec says that the planned new polycarbonate (PC) plant at its petrochemical complex in Tianjin city will cost $1.7 billion. Sabic, which revealed the plan first in May last year, said the plant will be operational by 2015 and construction will start immediately.
Foster Wheeler inks global services pact with Dow
Foster Wheeler has signed a strategic umbrella agreement with Dow Chemical for the provision of project management, consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and construction services. The deal offers support by Foster Wheeler to selected Dow global capital projects, the companies said.
India seeks more crude, LNG from Qatar to boost energy security
India will look to increase imports of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas from Qatar in the coming years, Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy said Monday. Reddy told reporters India was yet to decide on the quantum of additional crude and LNG imports.
Alternate feedstock options for petrochemicals: A roadmap
New hydrocarbons will be needed to meet future demand

- BASF launches the world’s first thermoplastic polyamide with high water permeability 9/9
- Worley awarded FEED contract for renewable diesel and aviation fuel project in Sweden 9/9
- U.S. tariffs worsen petrochemical sector challenges, executives warn 9/9
- Clariant to supply catalyst to SYPOX for world’s largest electric steam methane reformer 9/9
- Mitsubishi Chemical to adopt a "product traceability platform" to build a reliable chemical recycling supply chain 9/9
- Phillips 66 announces agreement to purchase remaining interest in WRB Refining LP for $1.4 B 9/9