Environment & Safety
How small deviations and lack of management access compromise reliability
In 2013, Refinery “X” was experiencing serious pump distress—the third or fourth in a 12-month period. We received calls about the latest thrust bearing failure event on this important 3,560-rpm process pump. Soon after, a surprisingly similar incident happened at Refinery “Y” in 2015. Both incidents are considered here.
US gov't withdraws $40-MM windpower grant
Dominion Virginia Power is assessing options for its proposed offshore wind demonstration project in light of an announcement today that the US DOE is withdrawing $40 MM in funding.
Daimler Mercedes-Benz's cleaner technology in European diesel, gasoline engines
Daimler said it will spend €3 B ($3.35 B) to curtail diesel exhaust pollution levels by modifying its engines and exhaust treatment systems.
Exxon shareholder vote could see climate activist join board
Voters at ExxonMobil Corp.'s annual meeting on Wednesday approved a measure to let minority shareholders nominate outsiders for seats on the board, meaning a climate activist could eventually become a director at the world's largest publicly traded oil company.
Shell CEO warns on hasty renewables shift
Major investors, including Dutch pension fund PGGM, have criticized Shell's climate change policy in recent months, saying it should do more to mitigate climate change risks.
EPA’s biofuel plan frustrates US refiners, farmers
The increase did not go far enough for the farm lobby and biofuels companies like Poet LLC, which have spent millions to produce advanced biofuels. Meanwhile, oil industry advocates, who have criticized previous targets as unrealistic, renewed calls for an overhaul of the program.
US EPA proposes modest increase in 2017 biofuels blending targets
Releasing the blending targets ahead of 2017 is part of the US EPA's efforts to get the controversial policy program for domestic refiners back on track after many years of delays.
Climate laws could mean higher refining costs
Curbing increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions remains a key requirement, and challenge, for global oil refiners and gas producers.
Arson blamed for 2013 Texas fertilizer plant blast
A call for tighter and more thorough regulations was issued following the deadly blast and ensuing fires.
Worker killed in accident at Komsomolsk refinery of Russia’s Rosneft
The worker was from a contractor firm working on the site, Rosneft said in a statement. The accident occurred during tests at a pipeline which was undergoing maintenance works.
- Petrobras delivers LPG sold at steep premiums despite Lula move to annul auction 4/3
- Plug Power to supply 275-MW GenEco electrolyzer system for Hy2gen’s Courant decarbonized ammonium nitrate project 4/3
- Vietnam refinery boosting jet fuel production 4/3
- China plans to upgrade some petrochemical plants, phase out others by 2029 4/3
- Morocco has diesel stocks for 51 days, energy ministry says 4/3
- Nigeria's Seplat Energy hit by strike amid push for higher output 4/3
