Europe
Russia, China to sign memorandum on gas supply
The deal could potentially be reached to deliver 38 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China beginning in 2018, the person said. The two sides are still negotiating on price, said a person familiar with the talks.
EU takes Poland, Cyprus to court for not enforcing renewable energy rules
"The European Commission is referring Poland and Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose" the legislation, the commission said in a statement. It also proposed fines for the infringement -- 133,228.80 euros per day for Poland, 11,404.80 euros daily for Cyprus.
BG finalizes long-term LNG supply deal with India
Under the agreement, BG will supply state-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corp., or GSPC, with up to 2.5 million metric tpy of LNG, concluding an initial agreement announced back in September 2011. Analysts estimate the 20-year gas contract could be worth around $20 billion.
Technip buys Norwegian engineering firm Ingenium
Ingenium AS designs and develops mechanical and electro-hydraulic tools and equipment, for the offshore oil and gas industry, and provides engineering services for marine operations, such as the installation of pipes and cables. It is comprised of over 20 skilled engineers in the subsea business.
BASF plans German research lab for FCC catalysts, cites challenge of tight oil
The new BASF laboratory will begin operating in the first half of 2014, and will be used for hydrocarbon and FCC equilibrium catalysts standard analysis and characterization, FCC catalysts process methodology testing and related research activities, providing data to BASF and its regional customers.
TAIF awards engineering deal to Toyo for Russian refinery modernization
The modernization project at Nizhnekamsk will be completed in 2016. The upgraded complex will convert the following oil refinery heavy residues: 2,700,000 tpy of vacuum residue and 1 million tpy of vacuum gas oil with a high ratio of conversion to more high-quality oil products.
UK leaders call for more women in engineering
An IChemE executive says more women are needed to enter engineering and recognize it as a career choice enabling them to make a difference for future generations.
KBR wins project management work for Azerbaijan gas processing plant
The new SOCAR gas processing plant will be located within the new oil-gas processing and petrochemical complex (OGPC) in Azerbaijan. The gas processing plant FEED completion is expected in October 2013, with the overall complex expected to start up operations in late 2020.
BASF to supply FCC catalysts for Shell refineries
This enhanced relationship agreement also includes collaborative activities designed to accelerate the introduction of new FCC catalyst technologies, according to company officials. BASF says the deal will ensure that Shell has the most advantageous FCC catalysts in its operations at all times.
Lanxess to shut Belgium butyl rubber, Texas EPDM plants amid weak demand
Soft underlying demand in the second half of 2012 has continued into 2013 across most businesses, against the usual seasonal trend. Lanxess said the closures are to counter the current soft demand.

- Evonik inaugurates its 100,000-tpy alkoxides plant in Singapore 8/27
- Borouge collaborates with Yokogawa on autonomous AI control room 8/27
- BASF and Yara end joint project for low-carbon ammonia at U.S. Gulf Coast 8/26
- U.S. jet fuel consumption growth slows after air travel recovers from pandemic slowdown 8/26
- ExxonMobil announces Group III base stocks production 8/26
- Saudi Arabia and India were biggest buyers of Russian fuel oil, VGO in July 8/26