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Middle East

PGI Energy inks deal to trade Saudi Aramco crude

PGI Energy has entered into a one-year allocation agreement with its limited joint venture partner Intertorco Europe S.A. as the exclusive trading desk for 6 million bbl/month of Saudi light crude oil from Saudi Aramco.

Hess signs three-year contracts to explore Iraq

Energy giant Hess has signed production sharing contracts (PSCs) with the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq for the country’s Dinarta and Shakrok exploration blocks.

Dow plans water technology plant in Saudi Arabia

Dow Chemical said Tuesday that it plans to build a world-scale manufacturing facility for a reverse osmosis (RO) membranes plant in Saudi Arabia.

Dow, Saudi Aramco JV wins board approval to build $20bn chemical complex

The boards of directors of Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco have approved the formation of a joint venture (JV) to build and operate a world-scale, fully-integrated chemicals complex at Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia.

US shale wave weakens petroleum market share for Russia, Iran, Venezuela - study

Rising US natural gas production from shale formations has already played a critical role in weakening Russia’s ability to wield an "energy weapon" over its European customers, and this trend will accelerate in the coming decades, according to a new study from Rice University’s Baker Institute.

Saudi Arabia JV awards CB&I with tank project at aluminum complex

CB&I has been awarded a $60 million storage tank project by the Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Co. as part of the Integrated Aluminium Complex in Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia. CB&I’s scope of work includes the engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction of 126 specialized steel storage structures.

BASF plans Bahrain plastic additives plant for 2012 to meet rising Middle East demand

BASF will significantly expand its presence in the Middle East region by building a state-of-the-art plant for antioxidant blends (CSB) in Bahrain, the Germany-based chemicals major said on Wednesday. CSBs are key additives for the production of polymers for the plastics industry, especially for the Middle East region.

Morgan Thermal Ceramics to supply heat insulation modules for Jubail refinery JV

Morgan Thermal Ceramics, a firm that designs and manufactures advanced heat insulation products, has been awarded a contract to supply modules for a refinery being constructed by SATORP, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Total.

Foster Wheeler, SOCAR form JV to build Azerbaijan oil, petchem complex

Foster Wheeler has agreed to form a jointly-owned company with the State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in the Republic of Azerbaijan. SOCAR is a state-owned company engaged in the fields of oil and gas exploration, production, transportation and marketing. It intends to build an oil, gas processing and petrochemical complex in Garadag, Republic of Azerbaijan.

ConocoPhillips to spin off downstream business

ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has approved the separation of the company’s Refining & Marketing and Exploration & Production businesses into two stand-alone, publicly traded corporations via a tax-free spin of the refining and marketing business to shareholders.