Environment & Safety
Crude oil in Quebec rail disaster was mislabeled
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said its tests showed the oil had a much lower flash point -- the temperature at which a fire can ignite -- than originally indicated on tank-car signage and was more dangerous than identified on the railcars that plowed into Lac-Megantic on July 6.
Poland delays LNG terminal, shows support for coal
The terminal, now due for completion at the end of 2014, and the development of Poland's shale gas deposits are important components of the government's strategy to reduce the country's dependence on natural gas imports from Russia. The country also wants to lower its carbon dioxide emissions.
Alberta leader asks pipeline firms to invest in new monitoring technologies
The minister's comments come amid increased scrutiny over pipeline integrity following a series of high-profile oil pipe leaks in recent years and persistent questions about risks from proposed pipeline projects designed to carry even more heavy crude from Alberta's booming oil sands.
US energy groups petition federal regulators over railcar safety proposals
The Compressed Gas Association is asking that regulations be rewritten to "clearly indicate that the liquid portion of the gas must not completely fill the tank." It says the rule permits the transport of carbon dioxide and refrigerated liquid "in an unsafe condition," according to a petition.
Iran agrees to release detained Indian Oil tanker
Iran detained the ship carrying crude oil from Iraq to India on August 13, saying it was polluting Iranian waters. India had denied the allegation, and according to the tanker's owner, state-run Shipping Corp. of India, the vessel wasn't in Iranian waters when it was detained.
BASF extends technology partnership with Apprion for North American plants
BASF and Apprion have finalized an initial $10 million deal for multiple application projects to be implemented over the next two years. These applications will enable BASF facilities to address their industrial safety, security, compliance and performance initiatives via Apprion's systems and services.
Mitigate fouling in crude unit overhead—Part 1
In a refinery crude distillation column, up to 40% of the total heat removal may be found in the tower overhead condenser. The quantity of duty available makes heat integration (HI) between the column..
Catalyst systems offer flexibility for hydroprocessing applications
Refinersa re strongly motivated to evaluate and select premier catalyst systems for the production of both diesel products from their hydrocracking and diesel treating units.
Improved oxidation process increases sulfur recovery with Claus unit
Since its development in 1936, the “modified Claus” technology has been the preferred process used by refineries and gas processing plants for the recovery of sulfur from acid-gas streams. M..
Update: Russia’s capacity and modernization program
Since 2008, Russian regulations regarding the crude oil and refining industry have changed substantially. At present, Russia has 22 large refineries, each with an individual throughput capacity exceed..
- 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

