Crude oil
US January petroleum demand falls from 2011 on lower heating oil use - API
Total petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) fell 5.7% this January compared with January 2011 to just over 18 million bpd, according to monthly data from the American Petroleum Institute (API). The slide in heating fuel demand reflects January’s relatively warm temperatures, the group said.
US officials approve Shell oil spill plan for Alaska
US officials have approved an oil-spill plan for Royal Dutch Shell as the company looks to begin drilling in the Arctic, saying that Shell has demonstrated its ability to respond to potential spills in icy waters despite protests from environmental groups. Shell still has to obtain drilling permits from the Interior Department.
Enbridge discovers eastern Michigan pipeline leak
Enbridge Energy is investigating the cause of a pipeline leak in eastern Michigan, according to a government filing made pubic Thursday. Enbridge said it discovered a small amount of oil Thursday in the soil near the town of Sterling in Arena County, according to the company's filing with the National Response Center.
Reliance plans petrochem expansion at Jamnagar refinery in India - report
Reliance Industries will expand petrochemicals production at its Jamnagar refinery in India, according to a Bloomberg report. The expansion is projected to cost from $10 billion to $12 billion and last three to four years, said K.K. Sreeramachandran, general manager in the company’s refining business.
Keystone XL timeline slips to early 2015
TransCanada says it is still waiting for answers from the US government about the process to refile its application for the controversial pipeline.
KBR to process deep oils for Russian refiner TAIF
KBR was awarded a contract by TAIF Group to provide licensing and engineering services for the Veba Combi Cracker (VCC) to be implemented at the Nizhnikamsk refinery in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. It marks the largest VCC project award for KBR since acquiring the technology in January 2010.
Total to boost investments as quarterly profits rise
France-based Total said 2012 has begun favorably and that it will step up investments over the next three years after reporting a 12.8% increase in fourth-quarter net income on high oil prices and in spite of weak downstream markets and stable output. Total is targeting a 2.5%/yr increase in average output in 2012-2015.
Enterprise raises oil storage capacity at proposed Houston crude terminal
Enterprise Products has purchased a 37-acre tract of land adjacent to its Enterprise Crude Houston (ECHO) crude oil terminal, which is currently under construction, in southeast Harris County, Texas. The ECHO facility is expected to begin service in the second quarter of 2012.
Copano to expand Eagle Ford shale pipeline in US
Copano Energy says it will extend its wholly-owned 96-mile, 24-inch DK Pipeline in the Eagle Ford Shale play by adding approximately 65 miles of 24-inch pipeline southwest into McMullen County, Texas. The extension is expected to begin service in the first half of 2013 and cost approximately $120 million.
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.
- IHI, Vopak to launch ammonia terminal project in Japan 7/11
- India's BPCL plans to shut Bina refinery unit for 15-day maintenance in August 7/11
- Soaring electric truck sales deal new blow to diesel use in China 7/11
- Russia`s Tatneft launches new hydrocracking unit on TANECO refinery 7/11
- IEA: Global oil market may be tighter than it looks 7/11
- India must boost its petchem output to counter China's dominance, Reliance says 7/11
