Crude oil
NPRA to change name in 2012 to American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
Charles T. Drevna, president of the US-based National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) trade group, announced on Tuesday that NPRA will change its name in January 2012 to the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).
Murphy Oil completes US refinery sale to Calumet
Calumet Specialty Products has completed its previously-announced acquisition of Murphy Oil’s refinery and associated operating assets and inventories in Superior, Wisconsin, for about $442 million, subject to post-closing purchase price adjustments.
Neste Oil plans €60mn process safety upgrade for Finland refineries
Neste Oil will spend about €60 million in 2012 on process safety improvements for its Porvoo and Naantali refineries in Finland. Investments will focus on further improving process, fire, and personnel safety by modernizing process automation and automated safety systems, the company said.
Halliburton acquires oilfield service firm Multi-Chem
Energy products and services major Halliburton has completed its previously-announced acquisition of oilfield chemicals firm Multi-Chem. Initially announced in September, the acquisition further strengthens Halliburton’s total offering while improving its competitiveness in a rapidly expanding global business, the company said.
Enbridge expands N America crude pipeline access
Enbridge on Monday announced a pair of projects that will provide increased access for refineries in the US Midwest and in Ontario, Canada, to light crude oil produced in the western US and Canada.
HP Innovations: HPInnovations
Mercaptan oxidation in aqueous waste   Fig. 1. Mercaptan destruction rate.  Tert butyl mercaptan (TBM) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) are oxidized to destruction in an aqueous-waste so..
Shell seeks shipper commitments for proposed Louisiana-to-Houston crude pipeline
Shell has started a non-binding solicitation of interest period for firm capacity on its proposed St. James to Houston pipeline project, known as the Westward Ho pipeline. The Westward Ho pipeline would enhance access to the anticipated increased domestic production of US Gulf of Mexico and foreign crude available at St. James, La., the company said.
US shale boom lifts petrochemical exports - report
The US shale gas exploration and production boom continues to fuel significant cost advantages for North American commodity chemicals producers as relative costs of natural gas and oil-based feedstocks remain far apart, according to a new report from credit-watch firm Fitch Ratings.
Enterprise, Enbridge plan Cushing-to-Gulf pipeline
Enterprise Products and Enbridge are planning to design, construct and operate a new pipeline to transport crude oil from the oversupplied Cushing hub in Oklahoma to the Texas Gulf Coast refining complex outside Houston.
Shell shuts down large Singapore refinery after fire
Shell is in the process of shutting down its 500,000 bpd refinery in Pulau Bukom, Singapore, following the recent fire at the facility, company officials said on Thursday. The fire, which began on Wednesday and may have been started during maintenance work, has been extinguished. However, there are still traces of fuel vapor, according to Shell officials.

- 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