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Refining

US proposes $1.7 million fine against ExxonMobil for Montana oil pipeline leak

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees pipeline safety, said Exxon didn't have written procedures instructing employees how to protect the pipeline in case of natural disasters. Exxon was "disappointed in the findings of this report".

Valero awards engineering pact to Foster Wheeler for Pembroke refinery in UK

Foster Wheeler will provide home office front-end engineering design and detailed engineering design services to support new development and modification projects at the Pembroke refinery and other UK facilities. Terms were not disclosed. Valero acquired the Pembroke refinery in 2011.

Wood Group wins maintenance work from Caltex for two Australian refineries

Effective from June 2013 at the Lytton refinery in Brisbane and the Kurnell refinery in Sydney, the $45 million, 18-month contract marks the continuation of a three-year contract first awarded to Wood Group in 2010. Wood provides maintenance management as well as mechanical and support services.

Petrobras gets purchase offer for Japan refinery

A Singapore-based company has proposed a $650 million deal to Petrobras, including $80 million for the Nansei Sekiyu refinery in Okinawa and $570 million for oil and oil-derivatives stocks at the refinery complex, the Valor Economico newspaper said, citing sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

Williams shuts down natural gas pipeline in West Virginia after explosion

A large explosion occurred shortly after noon local time and forced local residents to evacuate their homes, said Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil. The pipeline automatically shut down after the explosion, and residents were allowed to return to their home at around 2:30 p.m.

Phillips 66 inks three logistics pacts to boost crude supply for US refineries

The agreements for rail loading and terminaling services and a pipeline project will help Phillips 66 increase supplies of cost-advantaged North American crude oil to its US refineries.

Canada pledges to toughen oil tanker safety rules

Resources Minister Joe Oliver and Transport Minister Denis Lebel were in Vancouver, British Columbia this week to unveil the latest proposals, which include establishing a panel tasked with recommending further changes to create a so-called "world-class" tanker safety system.

US fuel makers use rail lines to tap Canadian oil

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

As the fight over the Keystone XL pipeline drags on, US refiners are turning to railroads to bring crude from Canada's oil sands to many refineries along the Gulf of Mexico.

EIA projects rising US domestic oil production

Projected crude production is expected to average 7.3 million bpd in 2013 and 7.9 million bpd in 2014. EIA expects total consumption to rise slightly over the next two years to an average of 18.7 million bpd.

US lawmakers scrutinize role of ethanol credits in gasoline price spike

The price of credits used by refiners to meet federal ethanol blending requirements has risen more than 1,000% in recent weeks. The heightened volatility in this normally sleepy market has raised concerns that it is a factor in the recent rise in the price of gasoline.