Europe
Oil eases but still near four-week highs after Saudi supply pledge
LONDON (Reuters) — Oil steadied on Wednesday near a four-week high after top exporter Saudi Arabia said it was determined to end a supply glut that has been weighing on the market for 3 yr.
EU Commission clears Hungary's investment aid for MOL plant
BRUSSELS (Reuters) — The European Commission on Wednesday cleared $154.12 MM of investment aid Hungary granted to oil and gas company MOL for expanding a plant in the North of the country.
Petrochemicals continue to boost BASF earnings
FRANKFURT (Reuters) — German chemicals group BASF continued to benefit from strong prices of basic petrochemicals as capacity expansion projects in the sector lag behind global demand growth, posting higher-than-expected quarterly operating profit on Tuesday.
Tide of diesel from the East imperils Europe's rally
LONDON (Reuters) — A recent rally in European diesel prices could be jeopardized by rising inventories in November as a raft of tankers sets sail from the East, reversing two months of stock declines following Hurricane Harvey.
Rosneft says ready to discuss Citgo collateral swap
VERONA, Italy (Reuters) — Russian oil major Rosneft will consider proposals to replace a stake in US-based refiner Citgo it holds as collateral for a 2016 loan to Venezuela with another asset, CEO Igor Sechin said on Thursday.
Poland's PKN says expects higher downstream margins in 2017
WARSAW (Reuters) — Poland’s biggest oil refiner PKN Orlen expects its downstream margin to rise this year from $11.70/bbl in 2016, the company’s official said on Thursday.
Italy breaks up Libyan fuel smuggling ring involving mafia
ROME (Reuters) — Sicilian police on Wednesday sought the arrest of nine people, including a suspected mobster, for running a Libyan fuel-smuggling ring in which at least $35 MM of diesel was sold in gas stations in Italy and Europe.
OPEC seeking consensus on oil supply cut extension before meeting
LONDON (Reuters) — Oil producers are working to build consensus on extending their deal to reduce supplies, OPEC's secretary general said on Thursday, with the potential for continuation throughout 2018 forming a basis for talks.
Total, Saudi Aramco discussing JV refinery expansion
LONDON (Reuters) — Total is in talks with Saudi Aramco to expand their Saudi joint venture refinery by more than 10%, the chief executive of the French energy company said on Wednesday.
Russia reaches outline debt restructuring agreement with Venezuela
MOSCOW (Reuters) — Russia has reached a general agreement with Venezuela on restructuring its debt to Moscow, RIA news agency cited Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov as saying on Saturday.
- UPM unlocks new bio-based markets as Leuna biorefinery produces its first commercial product 12/19
- Stamicarbon awarded technology licensing contract for new urea plant in Eastern China 12/19
- Ford takes $19.5-B writedown on EV business 12/19
- Babcock & Wilcox awarded $40-MM contract for advanced wet gas scrubbing technology at Canadian petroleum refinery 12/19
- Aarti Industries secures methanol and toluene feedstock supply through multiple long-term contracts 12/19
- bp picks first outsider CEO Meg O'Neill after abrupt Auchincloss exit 12/19

