Environment & Safety
US court ruling could cut BP's final spill penalty
A judge in New Orleans agreed to a stipulation that could reduce BP's maximum penalty in connection with the Deepwater Horizon accident by as much as $3.5 billion.
BP to fight US government over size of oil spill fine
The company said it believes the US government's estimate that 4.9 million bbl of oil were spilled in the Gulf of Mexico during the incident is overstated by at least 20% and includes another 810,000 bbl of oil that BP captured from the leaking well, so it never made contact with the environment.
Australian coal-seam gas ban puts projects at risk
Coal-seam-gas drilling will be banned within 2 kilometers of residential areas in Australia's most populous state, the conservative Liberal government said, adding that bans would also apply to land containing vineyards and horse studs. The moves may constrain the activities of energy companies.
Sinopec wins environmental approvals in China to expand Hainan refinery
Sinopec will expand the capacity of its Hainan refinery to 13 million metric tpy of crude oil, or about 261,000 bpd from the current 8 million tons, or 160,000 bpd, the ministry said in a statement Sunday on its website. The company will also build a new ethylene unit with an annual capacity of 1 million tons.
EU emissions program threatened by falling prices
Europe's flagship effort to limit greenhouse-gas emissions faces an existential threat as the price of emissions has fallen dramatically, eroding an incentive for industries to pollute less and forcing policy makers to weigh environmental priorities against economic concerns.
Obama to propose $200mn in energy efficiency funding for US states
The proposed energy-efficiency funding would "support state governments that implement effective policies to cut energy waste," specifically measures such as modernizing utility rules and building codes to encourage efficiency and standardizing financing for energy-efficiency upgrades, the summary said.
BP report warned of terrorism risk in Algeria, Africa
The reports, which were seen by The Wall Street Journal, anticipate the emergence of groups like the one that launched a deadly attack against the plant in In Amenas, Algeria, which BP operates in a joint venture with Algerian state-oil company Sonatrach and Norway's Statoil.
Explosion kills one at Air Liquide gas plant in Texas
The explosion occurred close to 7:40 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to the company, whose US operations are headquartered in Houston. About 20 people were working at the facility on Saturday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and one worker is still in critical condition.
US investigation blames lax safety culture for fatal Carbide chemical blast
The explosion resulted from a failure by the company to investigate similar but smaller explosive incidents over many years while deferring crucial maintenance of the large electric arc furnace that blew up, according to the CSB. Two workers inside died within 24 hours from severe burn injuries.
China to raise fuel standards for diesel, gasoline
China's State Council, or cabinet, said Wednesday it would ratchet up national fuel standards to levels similar to those currently found in the US and Europe by the end of 2017. Beijing will also give room to China's refining industry to pass on the cost to consumers, according to the statement.
- 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
