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Americas

EIA releases annual US energy outlook, sees strong growth in shale production

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week released the complete version of its 2011 annual energy outlook (AEO2011), which includes 57 sensitivity cases that show how different assumptions regarding market, policy, and technology drivers affect prior projections of energy production, consumption, technology, and market trends.

Albemarle touts new technology to extract lithium from brine, cites growing global market

US specialty chemicals producer Albemarle said on Friday that it has developed a proprietary technology for lithium extraction from brine.

Enbridge plans $175mn expansion of Texas shale transportation infrastructure

Enbridge Energy Partners will invest an additional $175mn to expand its East Texas shale infrastructure, the crude and natural gas transportation services firm said on Friday.

Methanex starts up production in Egypt, Canada

Global methanol producer Methanex said on Thursday that it had started production at its facility in Egypt as well as its Medicine Hat plant in Alberta, Canada, citing strong demand for the chemical.

Dresser-Rand unveils latest module for real-time gas turbine performance monitoring

Dresser-Rand, a global supplier of rotating equipment solutions to the oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries, has announced the availability of its Envision gas turbine performance module. The module is designed to assist operators and field service personnel in their day-to-day operation of General Electric aero derivative gas turbines, the company said.

Air Products wins railroad safety award for chems

For the third consecutive year, US industrial gases firm Air Products received a Pinnacle Award for chemical transportation safety from Union Pacific Railroad.

Higher oil prices to limit demand growth, economic recovery – Ernst & Young

Unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, coupled with the disaster in Japan, threatens the sustainability of the global economic recovery, but the momentum of growth is thought to be strong enough in most regions to absorb the shocks, according to a quarterly analysis report from business advising firm Ernst & Young.

Valero JV selects Dresser-Rand to supply rotating equipment on renewable diesel project

Dresser-Rand has received an order from Valero’s joint venture company, Diamond Green Diesel, to supply rotating equipment for a new unit that will produce renewable diesel fuel.

BP plans $388mn cleaner diesel project at Cherry Point refinery in Washington

BP will begin a $388mn project in May to install hydrogen diesel units at its Cherry Point refinery in Washington, according to a recent report in the Bellingham Herald newspaper.

BP, Dow Chemical plants in Texas City lose power as regional outages continue

The BP chemical plant in Texas City, Texas, lost power on Wednesday morning, marking the latest in a string of outages for the area’s numerous plants and refineries - including nearby producer Dow Chemical.