Europe
US says nations must adhere to CO2 pact
The US said Monday that any future emission reduction accord must equally apply to industrialized countries and the major emerging economies such as China. The US, which isn't a member of the Kyoto Protocol, said it takes climate change seriously but any accord has to have equal application to the US and major emerging economies in order to be passed.
Total to challenge French government decision on shale gas - report
French oil and gas giant Total plans to challenge the French government's decision to cancel its exploration permit for a shale gas field in Montelimar, in the south of France, reported Les Echos Monday. In October the French government canceled exploration permits on shale-gas fields after it said Total maintained its intention to drill the potential fields using hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technique that was banned in the country earlier this year.
Dow, Saudi Aramco finalize Sadara chemical JV; senior officials named
Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco on Monday announced the official formation of Sadara Chemical Co. (Sadara), a joint venture between the two companies. First production units are expected to come on line in the second half of 2015. All units are expected to be up and running in 2016.
Austria minister opposed to shale gas drilling - report
Austrian Environment Minister Nikolaus Berlakovich said he is opposed to shale gas drilling for environmental reasons, the daily Der Standard reported. Berlakovich's sentiment could result in companies like Austria's OMV being denied permission to extract the country's shale gas deposits.
France to stop buying Iranian oil
France will stop buying Iranian oil on a "national basis" as part of its campaign to raise pressure on Iran over its contested nuclear program, the foreign ministry said. France has said it will work with its European Union partners towards broader sanctions against Iran.
Süd-Chemie approves squeeze-out
At a general meeting held by Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, the transfer of all shares held by minority shareholders to the majority shareholder Clariant AG, Muttenz, Switzerland was approved.
IEA urges fix of renewable energy subsidies
Governments offering financial incentives to renewable energy generation technologies must do more work to make this support more cost effective, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday. Problems can be avoided by quickly adapting subsidy policies as technologies evolve and their costs fall, said the agency.
Emir of Qatar inaugurates Pearl GTL Project
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani today officially inaugurated the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Project, the largest GTL plant in the world and the largest energy project in the state of Qatar.
Lukoil boosts fuel quality with new coker
Russia's second-biggest oil firm, Lukoil, recently installed a coking unit at its Volgograd refinery to increase the quality of its fuels.
ABB starts up lube oil blending plant for Petromin
ABB Cellier, a segment of ABB France's Process Automation division, recently launched operations at a new lube oil blending plant for Petromin Corp. in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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