Americas
IEA cuts global oil demand outlook, citing economy
Market observers are puzzled over the ‘paradox’ of weakening economic growth and oil demand indicators on one hand and $110/bbl crude on the other, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which on Tuesday cut forecasts for oil demand growth in 2011 and 2012.
Chevron Phillips, Sumitomo venture to shut down Texas polypropylene unit
Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) has reached an agreement with partner Sumitomo Chemical Co. to permanently shut down polypropylene assets jointly owned by the Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Co. (PSPC) venture in Pasadena, Texas.
Process optimization to grow 9%/yr to 2015 - study
The real-time process optimization and training (RPO) market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 9%/year over the next five years, according to a new study from ARC Advisory Group.
Gevo wins US patents for bio-isobutanol production
Advanced biofuels firm Gevo received two patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on technologies that enable the low-cost, high-yield production of bio-based isobutanol.
Sasol plans gas-to-liquids complex in Louisiana
South Africa-based energy and chemicals group Sasol will execute a feasibility study on a proposed gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility in southwest Louisiana. The project is slated to be the first plant in the US to produce GTL transportation fuels and other products, the company said.
Dow to use AspenTech engineering software on petrochemical projects
US software and services provider Aspen Technology (AspenTech) said that Dow Chemical is using its aspenOne engineering software to guide capital-cost decisions on large-scale petrochemicals projects.
Technip buys subsea service firm Global Industries
France-based engineering firm Technip announced a $937 million deal to acquire US-based Global Industries, reinforcing its leadership in the subsea segment of oil services.
Enbridge to twin its Canada oil sands pipeline
Enbridge will twin the southern section of its Athabasca Pipeline from Kirby Lake, Alberta, to the crude oil hub in Hardisty, Alberta, at an estimated cost of approximately $1.2 billion. The twin line will initially add approximately 450,000 bpd of capacity between these points, with low-cost expansion potential to 800,000 bpd, the company said.
Gulf oil production returns to near normal after Lee
Offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico are re-boarding platforms and rigs and restoring production following Tropical Storm Lee, with production in the region returning to near normal after being more than 60% shut earlier in the week. However, another storm may loom in the near future.
US refiners note security upgrades as 9/11 nears
American fuel and petrochemical manufacturers have made major improvements in security to protect their facilities against possible terrorist attacks since Sept. 11, 2001, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) president Charles T. Drevna said on Friday.
- 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
