Americas
Shell shuts down large Singapore refinery after fire
Shell is in the process of shutting down its 500,000 bpd refinery in Pulau Bukom, Singapore, following the recent fire at the facility, company officials said on Thursday. The fire, which began on Wednesday and may have been started during maintenance work, has been extinguished. However, there are still traces of fuel vapor, according to Shell officials.
API seeks delay of US EPA refinery emissions rules
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is asking the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for additional time to make comments on EPA's proposed rules for emissions from the production of oil and natural gas. API also asked for the EPA to delay its proposed rule for refinery emissions to allow adequate time for EPA to review emissions data submitted by industrial facilities this month, it said.
Albemarle forms new pollution control division
US-based specialty chemicals firm Albemarle has formed an environmental division, seeking to enhance what it called an “important market segment” within the air pollution control industry. Albemarle’s environmental division is focused on expanding the product and service offerings for the company’s environmental business through the development of multi-pollutant control technologies, it said.
Honeywell wins top automation solutions award
Frost & Sullivan recognized Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) with its 2011 global award for customer value enhancement in the world automation services space. Honeywell’s "customer first" approach is reflected in its innovative, customer-friendly, and value-added service offerings, the firm said.
Gateway Energy acquires New York natgas pipeline
Gateway Energy has closed on its acquisition to acquire a natural gas pipeline in New York from American Midstream for an undisclosed price. The pipeline delivers natural gas into a plant owned by Owens Corning in Delmar, New York.
Yara opens fertilizer import terminal in Louisiana
Yara has opened its new NOLA import fertilizer terminal in Convent, St. James Parish, La., located approximately 60 miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans. With its opening, the fully-operational terminal will provide increased access to imported urea to agricultural markets both locally and throughout the Midwest and Eastern US via rail.
Amyris, Michelin to develop renewable isoprene
US renewable chemicals and fuels firm Amyris has agreed to work with tire company Michelin on the development and commercialization of renewable isoprene, the chemical building block in rubber tires and other products that use synthetic and natural rubbers.
Dow Chemical, K2 start California chlor-alkali plant
Dow Chemical and K2 Pure Solutions have successfully started up a new chlor-alkali plant at Dow’s site in Pittsburg, California. The new plant will supply Dow’s Pittsburg operations with chlorine for the manufacture of crop protection products and other materials, the company said.
Air Liquide to expand Texas industrial gases plant
Air Liquide broke ground Wednesday on a new nitrogen liquefier at its air separation plant in Cleburne, Texas. The plant expansion will support market growth and fuel job creation in the region, the company said.
ConocoPhillips to sell or shut Pennsylvania refinery
ConocoPhillips is seeking to sell its 185,000 bpd refinery in Trainer, Pa., and associated pipelines and terminals, the company announced on Tuesday. ConocoPhillips will immediately begin the process of idling the facility and will permanently close the plant in six months if a sales transaction is unsuccessful, it said.
- Iran conflict disrupts Middle East oil, fuel, LNG 3/2
- Qatar halts LNG output, Saudi refinery, Israeli oil, gas fields shut amid Mideast strikes 3/2
- Iran conflict disrupts oil supply to Asian countries dependent on Middle East 3/2
- Asia's jet fuel, diesel cash premiums hit multi-year highs on Mideast concerns 3/2
- European diesel refining margins surge as U.S.-Iran conflict escalates 3/2
- Small fire under control at Saudi Aramco refinery after apparent drone strike 3/2
