Refining
Grace venture to build FCC catalysts plant in UAE
W. R. Grace & Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture with Al Dahra Agricultural Co. to build and operate a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and additives plant in the Middle East. The production plant would be located in Abu Dhabi and start up in 2015.
Sasol finds alternate oil supply amid Iran sanctions
South Africa's Sasol said Thursday it has found suppliers to replace the crude oil it normally sources from Iran as the West imposes trade restrictions and sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Sasol relies on Iranian oil imports for about 20% of its crude requirement, or 12,000 bpd, at its Natref refinery.
Refining deals up sharply in 2011 amid shedding of global assets
Refiners realigned their corporate strategies in 2011, with many shedding refining assets and others choosing to exit the sector altogether, according to a new report.
Brazil prosecutor files criminal charges in Chevron oil spill case
A federal prosecutor in Brazil will file criminal charges Wednesday against executives from US oil major Chevron and drilling-rig operator Transocean, charging the employees with environmental crimes related to an offshore spill in November. A federal judge will decide whether to bring the charges to trial.
US to exempt EU, Japan on Iran oil sanctions
The US has decided to grant exemptions to Japan and 10 European Union (EU) countries under a new set of Iran oil sanctions, a key lawmaker said. Aimed at shutting down Iran's nuclear program, the sanctions target financial institutions that do business with Iran's Central Bank, a main conduit for Iran's oil sales.
Romney to attack Obama over US gasoline prices
An improving job market is prompting Mitt Romney to focus on rising gas prices as evidence President Obama has mismanaged the economy. Obama's political team is concerned rising gas prices will diminish some of the political advantage the president may gain from the improving economy.
Valero to shut Aruba refinery by end of March
The Texas-based refiner says it will suspend operations at the 235,000 bpd Aruba refinery by the end of the month because weak margins have led to financial losses.
Hess to explore sale of St. Lucia oil terminal
Hess Corp. announced Monday that it is exploring the sale of its St. Lucia crude oil and refined products storage and transshipment terminal in the Caribbean. The news comes two months after Hess unveiled plans to shut down its Hovensa refinery venture in St. Croix.
Eni sees 2012–2015 output growth above 3% per year on higher capex
Eni SpA, Italy's biggest oil and natural gas company by volume, said Thursday that its new, four-year, EUR59.6 billion investment plan estimates average annual hydrocarbon production growth of more than 3% through 2015.
Essar commissions diesel hydrotreater unit in India
Essar Energy plc, the India-focused integrated energy company, announced that Essar Oil Ltd. has successfully commissioned diesel hydrotreater unit 1 (DHDT-1) as part of the Phase I expansion at its Vadinar refinery in India.
- ITT to acquire SPX Flow for > $4.77 B, expanding leadership in highly engineered components and adjacent flow technologies 12/5
- MOL Group introduces eco-friendly Bag-in-Box packaging for lubricants 12/5
- Addis Energy secures $8.3 MM to scale its transformative approach to low-cost ammonia production 12/5
- World Fuel Services supplies cruise line with waste-based biofuels 12/5
- Chevron announces $18 B-$19-B CAPEX budget for 2026 12/5
- Russia and India sign deal to build urea plant in Russia 12/5
