Asia/Pacific
Outlook bleak for Europe, US refiners at end of dismal year
A dismal year for the European and US refining market is set to end on a sour note as profit margins are squeezed by high oil prices and lackluster product demand.
UOP adsorbents removing radiation in Japan water
Honeywell’s UOP said Friday that its adsorbent ion exchange products are successfully being used by Toshiba Corporation and Shaw Global Services for the cleanup of radiation-contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.
Chevron to spend record $32.7 billion on capital projects in 2012
Chevron said it expects to spend a record $32.7 billion on capital projects in 2012 as it continues to invest in massive oil and gas projects worldwide. Rivals ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil recently announced double-digit capital budget increases for next year, showing major oil companies are confident about the sustainability of high oil prices.
Dow to expand Asia-Pacific cellulosic ether output
Dow Chemical says it is planning to expand its cellulosic production capacity, particularly for construction-grade applications, with a geographic focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Decisions regarding the location and capacity of assets will be made upon completion of a feasibility study.
Jacobs, Shell form partnership for project design work in India
Jacobs Engineering Group says it received a contract from Shell in India to build an integrated organization with Shell’s project design office in Bangalore, India. The new organization aims to blend the strong technical and engineering design capability held by Shell and Jacobs, while optimizing the best work processes and tools of both companies, they said.
IEA says nations must act independently on climate
With little hope for significant progress on a major international climate agreement at this week's climate negotiations, nations must take it upon themselves to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change, the head of the IEA said Tuesday. To limit rising temperatures to an average of 2 degrees Celsius, global growth would have to come with just a 20% rise in emissions in the years ahead, she said.
Jacobs wins engineering on Honeywell, Sinochem venture in China
Jacobs Engineering Group will provide engineering and procurement services for the newly-formed joint venture between Honeywell and Sinochem. The joint venture, to be located in Taicang, Jiangsu Province, plans to produce HFC-245fa, a non-ozone-depleting rigid foam blowing agent used in insulation.
Linde to build hydrogen plant at northeast China chemical complex
The Linde Group says it will build and operate a new hydrogen plant in the Jilin Chemical Industrial Park (JCIP) in northeast China. The hydrogen plant is expected to come on stream by the end of 2013, supplying several companies in the Jilin chemical complex with high-purity hydrogen.
Shale gas gives rise to era of energy independence
A boom in shale gas output has lifted US gas supplies to record levels, creating an environment to sustain low prices and offering a new era in energy independence.
Sinopec, SK mulling China ethylene joint venture
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP), or Sinopec, said Friday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with Korea's SK Group. The two companies say they will continue to discuss joint investment in an 800,000 tpy ethylene project in Wuhan in central China.
- Petrovietnam says supertanker with Iraqi oil arrives at refinery port 6/1
- Russia bans aviation fuel exports until November 30 6/1
- Green Fuels Operating breaks ground on $400-MM refinery in Oklahoma (U.S.) 6/1
- SABIC puts 141 lots of industrial assets up for public auction 6/1
- Digital Exclusive: Margin left on the table: The hidden cost of supply chain capability gaps in hydrocarbon processing—Part 1 6/1
- bp sells 5% stake in Australian Browse LNG project to South Korea's GS Energy 6/1

