Environment & Safety
Rethink the hazards in your process
In designing process safety systems, “more” is not necessarily better. Advanced technology has created a mindset to over-install hardware to prevent or to reduce the risk of failure in hydro..
Consider process-based failure analysis methods for piping and equipment
Avoiding incident (or accident) recurrences at industrial systems is a long-standing problem, and it involves process safety strategies (PSSs). Incurring zero incidents is the ultimate goal for any st..
HP Editorial Comment: By the numbers
At times, engineers, bankers, scientists and accountants can be obsessed with numbers. Why? Because numbers are vital, especially in the design and operation of process units and equipment. Anniversar..
HP Brief
After a bitter labor battle, INEOS Grangemouth reopensINEOS Grangemouth (UK) has reopened its petrochemicals plant and oil refinery in Scotland. The reopening comes after negotiations with the employe..
HP Impact: Fossil fuels dominate global primary energy consumption
Oil, natural gas and coal accounted for 87% of global primary energy consumption in 2012, according to a new Worldwatch Institute study. The relative weight of these energy sources keeps shifting, alt..
HP Impact: Bipartisan fuel policy recommendations for US Congress
A bipartisan group called the US Energy Security Council, comprising former military, business and political leaders, has issued policy recommendations for the US Congress as it grapples with fuel-rel..
HP Impact: Global slowdown in annual CO2 emissions
Research published by the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) indicates that global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased by only 1.1% in 2012, yielding a slowdown in annual ..
Chevron LPG pipeline explodes in rural Texas
The explosion, caused by a construction crew that accidentally drilled into a 10-inch LPG line, led to flames shooting high into the air and prompted some people to evacuate.
Neste Oil reports LPG leak at Porvoo refinery
A general alarm was issued covering the refinery site and surrounding area in Tolkkinen and people were instructed to stay inside. The leak proved to be minor and the instruction calling for people to stay inside was rescinded at around 4 p.m. local time for all areas other than the immediate vicinity.
Industry mourns death of Dr. Trevor Kletz, pioneer in chemical process safety
Dr. Kletz’s career in the industry established him as an expert in chemical process safety, safety culture, and as an advocate for the concept of inherently safer technology and processes.
- ABB Ethernet-APL flowmeters to support digitalization at a large petrochemical complex in China 7/2
- Axens acquires Methanol-to-Propylene technology, expanding its SAF portfolio 7/2
- XRG acquires additional equity interest in Trains 4 and 5 of the Rio Grande LNG project (U.S.) 7/2
- Industry collaboration brings new insights on corrosion under insulation 7/1
- IMI secures major contract to supply wireless vibration monitoring solution in Omani refinery 7/1
- KBR, ReVentas partner to scale polymer dissolution technology to recycle polyethylene and polypropylene 7/1

