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Refining

API says decision on Keystone pipeline project essential to jobs

API called on the US Department of State today to approve the Keystone pipeline project as soon as possible “as a matter of critical national interest.” The pipeline, which would be built by TransCanada Corp., would be part of a pipeline system bringing oil from Alberta’s oil sands region in Canada to US refineries.

Hovensa to pay $5.3 million penalty for Clean Air Act violations

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Justice announced today that Hovensa LLC, owner of the second largest petroleum refinery in the United States, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of more than $5.3 million and spend more than $700 million in new pollution controls that will help protect public health and resolve Clean Air Act violations at its refinery in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

Hovensa closing units and reducing crude distillation capacity

Hovensa plans to shut down certain processing units on the west side of its refinery in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. This action will reduce the refinery’s crude oil distillation capacity from 500,000 bpd to 350,000 bpd, with no impact on the capacity of its coker or fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit.

Endicott Biofuels building second-generation biorefinery in Texas

Endicott Biofuels (EBF) has signed an agreement with KMTEX to construct a 30-million gpy biorefinery in Port Arthur, Texas, that will employ EBF’s proprietary technology for the production of high-purity biodiesel.

Enerkem gets loan guarantee for Mississippi waste-to-fuel biorefinery

Enerkem Corp. has obtained a conditional commitment for an $80 million loan guarantee by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the construction of its waste-to-biofuels project in Pontotoc, Mississippi, which will transform Northeast Mississippi’s municipal solid waste into ethanol.

Technip awarded a refining contract in Bulgaria

Technip was awarded by Burgasnefteproekt EOOD (a Lukoil engineering subsidiary) a lump sum services contract, worth approximately €70 million, for the phase 1 of a heavy residue hydrocracking complex to be built at their refinery located in Burgas, Bulgaria.

NPRA says EPA decision on E15 could hurt consumers

Charles T. Drevna, president of NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, issued the following statement in response to the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency today approving a 50 percent increase in the amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline used by cars and light trucks manufactured in the 2001-2006 model years.

Elliott Group wins dual compressor contracts for Ruwais refinery

The residue fluid catalytic cracking unit is the centerpiece of the project. Under contract with the engineering procurement contractor, GS Engineering & Construction, Elliott will provide seven compressor trains, a power recovery expander train and associated auxiliaries. Equipment includes a wet gas compressor, two heat pump compressors, two refrigeration compressors, a propylene compressor and a hot gas expander.

Lummus Technology has heater contract in Russia

Lummus Technology has been awarded a contract by OAO Salavatnefteorgsyntez (SNOS) for the engineering, procurement and supply of materials for a third SRT VI cracking heater at its ethylene plant in Salavat, Russia.

NPRA praises President Obama’s action on regulations

President Obama’s announcement today that he has ordered a review to identify federal regulations that can be eliminated because they hinder economic growth and job creation is welcome news for every American.