Process Optimization
HP Industry Perspectives: US oil and gas executives energized for the year ahead
A recent survey of US executives by the KPMG Global Energy Institute supports growing optimism in the domestic energy and manufacturing industries. Much of the renewed enthusiasm is strongly linked to..
INEOS picks KBR for FEED work on major US Gulf polyethylene proposal
The new INEOS facility for high-density polyethylene is expected to be located in the US Gulf coast area. KBR’s scope of work includes the FEED for the inside and outside battery limit facilities, development of an appropriation grade cost estimate, and order of long lead equipment for the project.
Dow chooses Foster Wheeler for Louisiana ethane cracker upgrading project
The objective is to boost the Plaquemine plant's ethane flexibility to take advantage of low-cost feedstocks, specifically via brownfield additions and retrofit modifications.
Sasol taps Emerson to automate planned Louisiana cracker, GTL complex
The automation program’s overall scope -- including dozens of integrated process units and more than 100,000 measurement and control points -- makes it one of the largest Emerson has been awarded.
ExxonMobil picks Wood Group for engineering on Papua New Guinea LNG
Under the contract, Wood Group PSN will provide brownfield engineering and procurement support to ExxonMobil's operations in PNG, including construction and maintenance services to both the Hides gas conditioning plant in the highlands, and the LNG plant northwest of Port Moresby.
Foster Wheeler, CEFOC launch Chinese venture for engineering design
Through the venture, Foster Wheeler and CEFOC (officially named The Fourth Construction Company of China Electronics System Engineering) will execute their business in China. Under Chinese law, this grouping includes other key businesses for Foster Wheeler such as upstream, refining and power.
KBR to study proposed upgrade to ToAZ ammonia complex in Russia
During the initial phase, KBR will evaluate plant operations to identify bottlenecks, define technical and commercial requirements, and examine process schemes prior to licensing technology.
Sasol names engineering, technology providers for new ethane cracker
The upcoming project in Westlake, Louisiana, should start up in 2017, with expected production of 1.5 million tpy of ethylene along with several downstream derivative plants.
KBR to install de-asphalting technology at Total refinery near Antwerp
The ROSE technology will split 48,000 bpd of residue from a mix of crude oils into deasphalted oil and asphaltene. The DAO will be upgraded in a mild hydrocracking unit and the asphaltene will be blended into fuel oil. The ROSE unit is expected to significantly enhance the refinery's profitability.
Asia: Future challenges and opportunities for refining sector
Securing the right quality of crude oil, increasing refinery competitiveness and adapting to fast-changing inter-regional trade dynamics are some of the area's key challenges.
- Topsoe and Sasol bring advanced SAF technology to Allied Biofuel’s landmark project in Uzbekistan 7/14
- Siemens Energy begins preparations for the launch of an independent brand 7/14
- Emerson helps Romania’s largest refinery reduce control system alarms by over 95% 7/14
- Bunker One executes Latin America's first bioethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel 7/14
- Kognitiv Spark advances the future of connected field worker collaboration 7/14
- EIA: Global LNG trade volumes reached record high in 2025 7/14

