Europe
BP may throw financial lifeline to Petroplus - report
BP is considering offering financial assistance to struggling independent oil refiner Petroplus Holdings, the London-based Sunday Times reported, without citing sources. The refiner had lost access to all its credit lines, forcing it to shut down the remaining three refineries.
Statoil temporarily shuts down Hammerfest LNG production after leak
Norwegian energy company Statoil said late Thursday that it temporarily shut down production Wednesday at its liquefied natural gas plant at Melkoya outside Hammerfest, Norway. Statoil's share of production from the plant totals 48,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day of LNG.
EU remains uncertain on timing of Iran oil embargo
A European Union embargo on Iranian oil could be enacted after a six-month grace period under one of the options being considered, but there is still no consensus on the matter. EU diplomats familiar with the discussions said Friday that while six months is one of the possible options, there is no convergence yet.
Chevron warns of weakening downstream results
Chevron expects 2011 fourth-quarter downstream earnings to be down significantly from the third quarter amid lower margins and refinery input volumes. In the US, Gulf coast refining margins fell substantially in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, the company said.
Shell picks Jacobs to engineer tunnels project for German refineries
Jacobs Engineering Group was awarded a contract from Shell to provide project management and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) services to support a tunnels project for refineries in Rhineland, Germany.
LyondellBasell to shut two polypropylene lines in Germany
LyondellBasell will shut down two polypropylene (PP) lines in Wesseling, Germany, by mid-2012, seeking to reduce costs and maintain its competitive position.
US refiners may profit from Petroplus closures in Europe
Analysts say refiners could see new opportunities as Europe's largest independent refiner and wholesaler of petroleum products shuts down three of its five refineries.
Repsol shuts FCC unit at Petronor refinery in Spain amid poor margins
Repsol has shut the FCC unit at its 220,000 bpd Petronor refinery in Spain because of dismal refining margins in Europe, Petronor said in a statement. Repsol's Petronor refinery is in the Somorrostro valley, 20 kilometers from Bilbao in northern Spain.
Technip extends subsea services pact with Statoil
France-based engineering major Technip was awarded a two-year extension within its Statoil frame contract for diving, pipeline repair, contingency and modification services. The yearly revenue under the contract is expected to be in the range of €50-80 million.
BP slammed by Norway regulator for Valhall fire
BP has been ordered to take immediate steps to address a number of "serious breaches" of regulations in connection with a fire on its Valhall platform last year, Norway's offshore safety authority said Thursday. No people were injured in that incident, although the safety body said that under slightly different circumstances it could have escalated and led to the loss of life.
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