Americas
BASF to build formic acid plant at Louisiana facility
BASF announced Friday that it will build a new production plant for formic acid at its integrated Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana. The new 50,000 tpy plant is expected to start up in the second quarter of 2014. Investment terms for the project were not disclosed.
KBR wins construction deal for Canada shale gas processing project
KBR on Friday was awarded a general works contract for the construction of a 200 million standard cubic feet/day (SCFD) sweet natural gas processing plant near Fort St. John in Canada's British Columbia province. The project is aimed at monetizing recent shale gas discoveries.
Westlake Chemical withdraws bid for Georgia Gulf
Westlake Chemical said Friday that it is withdrawing its proposal to acquire US vinyls and aromatics company Georgia Gulf after failing to strike an agreeable deal. Westlake told Georgia Gulf that it does not intend to continue to pursue a deal. The proposal was first made in January.
Eastman picks Shaw for technology, engineering on Texas ethylene furnace
The Shaw Group was awarded a contract to provide proprietary technology and engineering services for a new ultra-selective conversion (USC) furnace for Eastman Chemical’s ethylene plant in Longview, Texas. A Shaw official attributed the rise in US business activity to recent developments in shale gas.
US likely to limit LNG exports to keep low gas price
The US government is likely to impose limits on exports of LNG in order to keep its natural gas prices low, said executives from two major oil firms. Several companies are planning to build plants that would convert some of this domestic surplus of gas into LNG that could be shipped internationally.
BASF acquires Brazil polyamide polymer business
BASF on Thursday struck a deal to buy the polyamide (PA) polymer business of Mazzaferro Group in Brazil. The deal includes the site and production facilities for the PA 6 product range, as well as engineering plastics compounds at São Bernardo do Campo in the metropolitan area of São Paulo.
Enterprise to raise Texas propane export capacity
In response to increased demand for propane from international markets, Enterprise has started a debottlenecking project on its existing export facility to increase propane export capacity by up to an additional 100,000 bbl per month. The work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2012.
FMC launches environmental solutions business
FMC Corp. has launched FMC Environmental Solutions, a new division that integrates the company's portfolio of proprietary products and specialty solutions that prevent or remediate contamination of air, soil and water. FMC says it sees the development of an environmental platform as a strategic growth opportunity.
Exxon Louisiana pipeline remains shut after oil spill
ExxonMobil said Wednesday that the North Line crude pipeline in Louisiana remains shut down after an oil spill occurred over the weekend and that cleanup operations continue. The North Line originates in St. James, La., and transports oil to the northern part of the state.
Air Products inks hydrogen supply pact with Motiva for Louisiana refinery
Air Products will supply additional hydrogen to be used by Motiva's 235,000 bpd Convent refinery in Louisiana under a long-term agreement with Motiva Enterprises, the joint venture between Shell and Saudi Aramco. The company's new Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline network will be operational in 2012.
- TotalEnergies extends its fuel price cap policy in France until the end of April 4/7
- Navigating the montan wax challenge with renewable alternatives for polymers 4/7
- AFR selects Axens as technology provider for Texas (U.S.) refinery 4/7
- Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, IRGC says 4/7
- Iran's Marvdasht Petrochemical complex attacked by US and Israel 4/7
- Fluor awarded engineering and design contract for America First Refining's refinery in South Texas 4/7
