Crude oil
API launches new US advertising campaign against higher oil, gas taxes
American Petroleum Institute (API) chief executive Jack Gerard unveiled a new advertising campaign this week, which he says is to encourage lawmakers on the US Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to focus on job creation and revenues through economic growth rather than what the API calls “punitive tax increases” on industry. The new advertisements are available online for viewing.
Statoil extends Technip contract for pipeline repair services in Norway
Statoil awarded Technip with a two-year extension of its pipeline repair system (PRS) services frame contract until December 1, 2014. This contract covers maintenance and operation of Statoil’s PRS Pool located at Killingøy in Haugesund, Norway.
IEA unveils 2011 World Energy Outlook, says policy changes needed to cut emissions
Without a bold change of policy direction, the world will lock itself into an insecure, inefficient and high-carbon energy system, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned as it launched the 2011 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO). "Governments need to introduce stronger measures to drive investment in efficient and low-carbon technologies," said IEA executive director Maria van der Hoeven.
Kinder Morgan to invest in $400mn oil terminal at Houston Ship Channel
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners said on Tuesday that it will join with Battleground Oil Specialty Terminal Co. (BOSTCO) - a venture with TransMontaigne Partners - in building, owning and operating a new $400 million oil terminal on the Houston Ship Channel. Construction of the tanks is expected to begin this year upon completion of binding definitive customer agreements.
API poll sees rising US support for Canadian oil use
A significant majority of American voters would like the US to rely more on oil from Canada to meet domestic needs, rather than from other countries, according to a new poll. Voters feel better about importing oil from Canada knowing that Canadian oil sands development and the Keystone XL pipeline will bring significant job creation in the US for Americans and increase the nation's energy security, according to the API trade group.
US extends offshore leases for deepwater drilling
The Obama administration recently extended nearly 1,400 deepwater oil and gas drilling leases in an effort to offset production delays caused by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the subsequent five-month ban on new offshore drilling.
BP inks $50mn settlement to resolve claims from Texas City refinery blast
BP has agreed to pay $50 million to the state of Texas to resolve air pollution allegations related to the March 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery, according to a statement from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. An explosion and related fires erupted at BP’s Texas City refinery in March 2005, claiming 15 lives and injuring more than 170 workers.
HP Construction: North America
Eastman Chemical Co. has announced a second expansion of its Benzoflex plasticizer line at the Kohtla-Järve, Estonia, site. The expansion will increase Benzoflex capacity by an additional 11,000 ..
HP Construction: Middle East
L&T Hydrocarbon has a project order, valued around $150 million, from Petroleum Development Oman LLC (PDO). The order is to set up a greenfield project planned to treat an average of 3 million standar..
HP Construction: Asia-Pacific
Alfa Laval has won an order to supply its Packinox heat exchangers to a refinery in Kazakhstan. The order value is approximately SEK 55 million, and delivery is scheduled for 2012.The Packinox heat ex..

- Aster Chemicals declares force majeure at Singapore naphtha cracker 8/29
- Orlen signs 1-yr deal with Equinor for supply of 15% oil it uses 8/29
- Novatek partially resumed processing at Ust-Luga complex 8/29
- Phillips 66 to begin winding down Los Angeles-area refinery next week 8/29
- Update: Mexico's Minatitlan refinery back online, Olmeca still down 8/29
- SIBUR produces test batch of first hexane plant in Russia 8/28