Environment & Safety
Investigators blame lax oversight for recent Texas fertilizer explosion
The CSB said the West explosion was caused by an intense fire in a wooden warehouse building that led to the detonation of about 30 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in wooden bins. The building had no sprinklers or fire detection systems, so the fire was "intense and out of control".
Williams links deadly Louisiana olefins explosion to propylene fractionator area
Williams said it has key personnel on site to begin plans to make repairs, undertake a previously-planned maintenance turnaround and complete a 600 million lb/year expansion of the olefins operations. The plant remains shut down and the expansion work is temporarily suspended.
Obama ties Keystone XL decision to climate
The US president said the controversial pipeline should be approved only if it doesn't "exacerbate" carbon pollution, as he unveiled a sweeping new plan to tackle climate change.
EPA drops US investigation into fracking
The EPA will allow the state of Wyoming to continue the investigation but doesn't "plan to rely upon the conclusions' of its previous study", In late 2011, the agency released a draft report suggesting water samples near Encana gas wells in Pavillion, Wyo., contained chemicals consistent with fracking.
CF halts production at Alberta nitrogen plant amid concerns of flooding
The site on which the complex itself is located is approximately 200 feet above the normal river level. However, the pump house containing equipment used to draw river water for plant operations is near the river bank and within the area impacted by high water levels.
Shell shuts Trans-Niger oil pipeline after blast, fire
Shell said it had already shut the Trans Niger's 28-inch pipeline to remove connections used for crude oil theft when the incident occurred, causing it to shut the 24-inch pipeline as well. It said the 24-inch line will reopen once it is safe to do so, while the 28-inch line will remain remain shut-in.
US safety board to probe Williams olefins blast
The CSB looks at all areas of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations and industry standards.
Explosion hits Williams Louisiana olefins plant
An explosion and subsequent fire rocked the Williams olefins plant in Geismar, Louisiana, leading to evacuations, two deaths and numerous injuries. Ambulances and helicopters transported those injured facility to local hospitals and about 300 workers were evacuated from the scene.
BP awards environmental consulting pact to AMEC for global refining work
AMEC has an existing environmental services framework contract with BP in North America, and this latest award effectively forms a global agreement for environmental services between the two companies. The value of the contract, which will run until to 2017, has not been announced.
BP, Coast Guard conclude Gulf oil spill cleanup in three states
The US Coast Guard is ending active Deepwater Horizon cleanup in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, concluding a three-year effort to repair the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.
- Transition Industries signs agreements for the Pacifico Mexinol Project, an ultra-low carbon chemical production facility 7/3
- Bangkok Airways introduces SAF on commercial flights 7/3
- EcoCeres secures SAF contract with British Airways to help reduce carbon emissions 7/3
- Air Liquide to invest up to $200 MM in Louisiana, U.S. to support industrial growth 7/3
- MOL completes the acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals 7/3
- BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fueled vessels 7/3
