Asia/Pacific
OPEC sees no shortage of oil in any region
OPEC's secretary general said Monday that there is currently no shortage of oil anywhere, despite current supply concerns. Oil markets have been jittery by interruption of supply from countries such as Sudan and fears Iran may preempt a planned European embargo on its oil exports.
Cheniere inks sales pact with Korea Gas to export Sabine Pass LNG
Cheniere Energy Partners has entered into an LNG sale and purchase agreement with Korea Gas Corp.(Kogas) under which Kogas has agreed to purchase 3.5 million tpy of LNG upon the completion of train three operations. The agreement has a term of 20 years and an extension option of up to 10 years.
Eastman to buy US specialty chemicals firm Solutia in $4.7 billion deal
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire US-based specialty chemicals and performance materials firm Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, in a deal valued at about $4.7 billion (including debt). The deal is expected to close in mid-2012.
Samsung, Total plan $1.8 billon expansion on South Korea petrochemical venture
Construction at the Daesan complex will include a second aromatics1 unit and an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer unit.
UOP technology chosen for diesel, lube production at Pakistan refinery expansion
Honeywell’s UOP says that its new process technology designed to help refiners get more product from each crude barrel has been selected by National Refinery Limited (NRL) to maximize diesel and lubricant production in Pakistan. The facility will produce 40,000 bpd of diesel fuel and 4,500 bpd of lube base oils.
US business lobby likes Obama plan on China
A US business lobby group voiced support for President Barack Obama's proposal for export financing for US companies competing against Chinese rivals in third-country markets, seeking a more "level playing field" with Chinese companies.
Sinopec boosts Queensland LNG stake in Australia
Australia Pacific LNG and Sinopec amended their existing LNG sales agreement for the supply of an additional 3.3 million tpy of LNG through to 2035 from Australia Pacific LNG’s world-class coal seam gas resources and LNG facility on Curtis Island, Gladstone in Queensland. Sinopec’s ownership interest will rise to 25% from 15%.
Toyo lands engineering, construction deal on China caprolactam venture
Toyo Engineering Corp. has been awarded a contract for a caprolactam plant for DSM Nanjing Chemical (DNCC), a joint venture company between Royal DSM and Sinopec. After the completion of the new project, DNCC will become the largest caprolactam producer in the world with 400,000 tpy of capacity.
Global oil, gas leaders see higher 2012 spending as industry confidence rises - poll
Oil and gas industry leaders have forecast improved performance and higher levels of capital expenditure in 2012 despite concerns over global economic instability, according to a new report on the future of the sector. North America is emerging as the area with the greatest opportunities in 2012, the poll shows.
Foster Wheeler to design new India LNG terminal
Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract for a new LNG receiving terminal to be built in Ennore, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The LNG terminal facilities are planned for completion by 2015-16.

- 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