Refining
Russian government approves Rosneft's TNK-BP acquisition
Russia's government has approved state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft's $55 billion acquisition of TNK-BP from BP and its partners.
Operational improvements proposed at Pine Bend refinery
The projects are expected to improve reliability, reduce key emissions and improve the refinery's ability to convert crude oil into transportation fuels.
OMV to divest 45% stake in Bayernoil by 2014
Austrian oil and gas company OMV AG will divest its 45% stake in German refinery Bayernoil Raffinerie GmbH by 2014, according to material presented by the company at its London media summit.
BridgeTex pipeline to deliver crude from Permian Basin to Houston Gulf Coast
The pipeline will transport up to 300,000 bpd of crude oil, with access to Houston Ship Channel refineries, Texas City refineries and other refineries throughout the Gulf Coast.
Repsol looks to Argentina for YPF compensation
The chairman of Spanish oil major Repsol said the company hopes to arrive at an agreement with the Argentinean government for the nationalization of Repsol subsidiary YPF in April. Argentina seized control of YPF after accusing Repsol of not investing enough in the unit.
REG makes second US biodiesel facility acquisition in three weeks
The US-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced the purchase of a 15-MMgpy biodiesel production plant near Atlanta, Georgia. The company has not yet set a production date for the restart of the facility, which has operated intermittently since January 2008.
BP plans share buyback to stave off takeover bids
The £4 billion share buyback could take place as early as next year. According to the paper, the huge buyback could take place as early as next year. Directors at the oil major are alert to the possibility of an opportunistic bid from a cash-rich rival and have had a defense document on standby for weeks.
US oil demand lowest for October since 1995 – API
Demand was the weakest in October in 17 years, while year-to-date figures are down 2.1% from 2011. "For many months, we’ve seen variations on the same theme: weak demand versus a year ago and some of the weaker demand numbers over the past decade,” said API chief economist John Felmy.
EPA denies request to waive US ethanol mandate for gasoline blending
The EPA said Friday it hadn't found any evidence that its renewable fuel standard is causing economic harm. Cattle ranchers and dairy farmers, who use corn to feed cattle, have complained for several months that the ethanol mandate was driving up demand for dwindling supplies of corn.
Foster Wheeler venture wins FEED work for Canada oil sands processing site
The project, located in northern Alberta, is expected to have an initial production capacity of 90,000 bpd over two phases and an estimated project life of up to 40 years. The project is currently under review by regulators, according to company officials. The contract value was not disclosed.
- CTCI awarded $417-MM EPC contract to build ethylene storage in Qatar 11/15
- Russian refineries cut oil runs due to losses, closures loom 11/15
- Spain's Moeve swings to quarterly loss on weak refining margins 11/15
- Asia naphtha supply expected to remain tight over next two years 11/15
- Countries, companies lag in response to tackle methane emissions, U.N. says 11/15
- U.S. energy draws up a wish list for new Trump administration 11/15