Refining
Shale plays spark Q3 rise in US oil, gas deals - PwC
The total value of US oil and gas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during the third quarter of 2011 jumped 135% as foreign investors continued to show interest in the energy sector, especially in taking positions in shale plays and upstream-related assets, according to a new study from global consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site
US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.
LUKoil begins $3bn/year investment plan for Russia downstream projects
Russia’s largest private oil company LUKoil has begun construction on a gas processing plant (GPP) included in a gas chemical facility (GCF) in Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Territory, part of the company’s plan to invest $3 billion/year in downstream operations from 2012 through 2014.
BP reaches turning point in oil output, safety - CEO
As BP announced its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday, group CEO Bob Dudley put forther more details on BP’s future direction and strategic priorities, saying the company had reached a clear turning point in oil and gas production.
Statoil extends Aker pact for Norway refinery work
Statoil has exercised its option for a three-year extension of its minor modifications frame agreement with Aker Solutions for the Mongstad refinery, located on Norway's west coast.
Williams to supply pipeline, gas processing for US Gulf development of Hess, Chevron
US natural gas infrastructure company Williams has signed agreements with Hess and Chevron to provide production handling, export pipeline, oil and gas gathering and gas processing services in the Tubular Bells field development located in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
GE buys majority stake in US fuel-storage terminals
GE is expanding into petroleum product terminals by investing $85 million to become a majority owner of Lightfoot Capital Partners, the company said on Monday. Lightfoot Capital is the majority-owner of Arc Terminals, which operates petroleum product terminals in eight US states.
Algenol begins construction on Florida bio-refinery
Algenol Biofuels has broken ground on construction of its pilot-scale integrated bio-refinery, which will include the first large-scale deployment of Algenol's patented Direct To Ethanol technology to produce ethanol directly from carbon dioxide, sunlight and salt water using blue-green algae in patented photobioreactors (PBRs).
CB&I to design, engineer sulfuric acid alkylation unit in China
CB&I subsidiary Lummus Technology has been awarded a contract by Ningbo Haiyue New Material Co. for the license and engineering design of a grassroots sulfuric acid alkylation unit to be built near Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China.
US September oil demand up 2.5% from 2010 - API
At 19.9 million bpd, total US petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) rose 2.5% in September compared with September a year ago, according to figures released on Friday from the American Petroleum Institute (API). While motor gasoline demand was up only slightly by 0.3%, distillate demand reached a record for the month, the trade group said.
- Oil tankers steer clear of Hormuz ahead of U.S. blockade 4/13
- Vietnam's Binh Son refinery has enough crude oil to operate until early July 4/13
- Inpex to send additional condensate to Australian refineries 4/13
- Saudi Arabia restores full capacity on East-West oil pipeline to 7 MMbpd after attacks 4/13
- Allied Biofuels signs PIA with Uzbekistan to advance $6-B biofuels refinery project 4/10
- Nufarm strengthens strategic collaboration to support long term growth in biofuels production 4/10

