Environment
Philadelphia Energy Solutions laying off nonunion workers
Philadelphia Energy Solutions Inc. has begun laying off nonunion workers at its Philadelphia refinery after the company fell short of a goal of trimming its workforce through voluntary buyouts.
US Federal appeals court hears arguments over Dakota Access pipeline
Three federal appeals judges in Washington, DC, heard arguments over whether to stop work on a crude oil pipeline in parts of North Dakota where the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes say the project will desecrate sacred land.
BASF, Avantium establish JV for bio-based chemicals
BASF and Avantium have formed a new JV for the production and marketing of furandicarboxylic acid, as well as the marketing of polyethylenefuranoate.
US EPA files complaint regarding alleged Renewable Fuel Standard violations
The US EPA and the US Department of Justice filed a complaint against NGL Crude Logistics and Western Dubuque Biodiesel to address alleged violations of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Canada unveils carbon price, energy-producing provinces unhappy
Canada's federal government vowed to bring in a minimum price on carbon emissions by 2018.
EPA fines Eco Services Corp. for sulfur dioxide leak
The EPA has reached a settlement with Eco Services Operations Corp., located in Carson, Calif., for violations of federal laws related to a large release of 65,049 pounds of sulfur dioxide in 2013.
Praxair starts new hydrogen plant at La Pampilla refinery
Praxair started up a hydrogen plant for Repsol's La Pampilla refinery.
Shell to provide fuel for Carnival’s LNG-powered cruise ships
Carnival has signed a framework agreement with Shell Western LNG to be its supplier of marine LNG to power the world's first fully LNG-powered cruise ships.
Innovations
Where large machines are in use and the overall processes depend on a smoothly functioning plant, companies often rely on fixed maintenance schedules and diagnostic tools.
Viewpoint: New challenges demand innovative solutions
As the industry works through the most volatile conditions in more than a generation, refiners are facing several challenges that will define the industry in the next decade.
- BASF supports European 1,4‑butanediol supply security through increased production in Ludwigshafen 2/16
- Vitol backs proposed $3-billion LNG power plant for South Africa's Durban port 2/16
- HAMR Energy receives additional funding for low-carbon liquid fuels projects 2/16
- NASCAR names POET official bioethanol partner: Becomes first major motorsports series to utilize zero-carbon bioethanol 2/16
- ExxonMobil starts third advanced plastics recycling unit at Baytown complex 2/16
- Geoinform, subsidiary of the MOL Group, signs strategic cooperation agreement with Baker Hughes 2/16
