Gas Processing/LNG
US shale boom drives oilfield chem demand - study
The oilfield specialty chemicals market grew to nearly $16 billion in 2010, driven in large part by the rapid expansion of shale oil and gas drilling and production in North America, according to a new study. World demand for these chemicals is expected to grow at an average rate of 3.5% during the next five years.
Italy's natural gas situation turns critical as EU copes with shortage
Italy said its natural gas supply situation Monday was critical after receiving lower-than-requested gas imports from Russia for nearly a week, but the European Commission said other EU countries are coping with the shortage of fossil fuel. A bitter cold snap has temporarily tightened supplies to parts of Europe.
EU says gas shortage affecting Eastern Europe, Greece, Italy, Austria
Italy, Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania are experiencing shortages of natural gas, the European Commission said Friday. While exact figures for Friday aren't yet available, Thursday's supplies from Russia to Austria declined 30%, to Italy by 24% and to Poland by 8%.
Petrobras mulls LNG regasification, fertilizer plants in Rio Grande do Sul
Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras said Friday that it had signed a letter of intent to study the feasibility of building fertilizer and liquefied-natural-gas, or LNG, regasification plants in Rio Grande do Sul state. The letter was signed by Petrobras, Samsung's machinery and ships division and Hyundai's bulk-carrier division.
ExxonMobil's natural gas emphasis may hurt small US producers
ExxonMobil’s decision to leave US natural gas output untouched despite low commodity prices may push smaller producers out of the business, force industry consolidation and make Exxon an even more powerful force. The company said drilling for natural gas in some areas is still profitable, even at current prices.
Shell looking at ways to improve US gas profits
The company says it may seek land for potential liquefaction and export terminals. After heavy investment in US shale assets, low gas prices are driving up project costs.
PetroChina buys 20% stake in Canada shale gas project from Shell
Shell confirmed it agreed to sell a 20% stake in a Canadian shale gas project to state-controlled PetroChina, saying that the move was the latest example of its strategic co-operation with parent China National Petroleum Corp. The natural gas output of the Groundbirch project is 125 million cubic feet/day.
Brazil sets domestic record for crude, natural gas production in 2011
Brazil set a record for crude oil and natural gas production in 2011 as ongoing tests at recently discovered oil fields continue to boost the country's output. Average daily output was 2.52 million BOE in 2011, up from 2.45 million BOE per day in 2010, according to the ANP.
Qatar plans LNG shutdown if Iran closes Hormuz
Qatar, the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, is drawing up a contingency plan to close down its vast LNG facilities in an emergency, if Iran carries out recent threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Qatar has no alternative export routes for its LNG in the event of a blockade.
HP Insight: Government, environment and taxes, oh my!
In this issue of HPInsight, the global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) still battles some very familiar and present day challenges, such as economic cycles, feedstock spikes, government over reg..
- UPM launches the first bio-based, NIR-detectable, carbon-negative pigment for premium packaging 12/11
- Five mega-trends reshaping the global energy and resources landscape in 2025 12/11
- RCI, nova-Institut unveil new carbon label for products, intermediates and raw materials 12/11
- SK Energy secures in-house access to feedstock to create Korea's first vertical integration for waste plastics recycling 12/11
- Petronet LNG secures loan for 750,000-tpy PDH/PP project in India 12/11
- Methanol Reformer to supply Mitsubishi Gas Chemical with an L18 methanol reformer for installation at its Niigata plant in mid-2026 12/11

