Environment & Safety
BP report warned of terrorism risk in Algeria, Africa
The reports, which were seen by The Wall Street Journal, anticipate the emergence of groups like the one that launched a deadly attack against the plant in In Amenas, Algeria, which BP operates in a joint venture with Algerian state-oil company Sonatrach and Norway's Statoil.
Explosion kills one at Air Liquide gas plant in Texas
The explosion occurred close to 7:40 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to the company, whose US operations are headquartered in Houston. About 20 people were working at the facility on Saturday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and one worker is still in critical condition.
US investigation blames lax safety culture for fatal Carbide chemical blast
The explosion resulted from a failure by the company to investigate similar but smaller explosive incidents over many years while deferring crucial maintenance of the large electric arc furnace that blew up, according to the CSB. Two workers inside died within 24 hours from severe burn injuries.
China to raise fuel standards for diesel, gasoline
China's State Council, or cabinet, said Wednesday it would ratchet up national fuel standards to levels similar to those currently found in the US and Europe by the end of 2017. Beijing will also give room to China's refining industry to pass on the cost to consumers, according to the statement.
Pemex blast caused by methane gas accumulation
Investigators are still working to determine where the gas came from, and whether or not there was anyone to blame. The reasons for ruling out the use of explosives include the fact that there was no crater at the site of the blast, the steel girders weren't fractured, and the bodies weren't dismembered.
Explosion at Pemex headquarters kills at least 35
Pemex CEO Emilio Lozoya said at a press conference that officials did not yet know the cause of the explosion, which destroyed part of an administrative building adjacent to the landmark skyscraper in Mexico City. One employee said the blast came from an electricity substation in the building.
New residue-upgrading complex achieves Euro 5 specifications
In late 2010, Grupa LOTOS SA completed construction of a major residue-upgrading project at its refinery in Gdańsk, Poland. Its 10+ Program was designed to unlock a step change in the facility’s long-term profitability. After two years of operating, this project has had a profound effect on the refinery’s economics.
Select new production strategies for FCC light cycle oil
Selective adjustments to FCC operating variables and catalyst quality can significantly increase LCO production, which refiners can then upgrade into diesel blendstock.
Consider advanced technology to remove benzene from gasoline blending pool
As more regions increasingly adopt clean-fuel regulations, the challenge for refiners is to meet these tightening gasoline specifications for benzene cost-effectively without significant octane loss.
Venice’s biorefinery: How refining overcapacity can become an opportunity with an innovative idea
Eni invested in an innovative project involving the conversion of the existing refining scheme of its Venice refinery into a “green cycle” to process very high-quality biofuels starting from biological feedstocks.
- Hydrogen in aviation offers potential for growth and deeper emissions reductions, new study shows 12/9
- EnerMech awarded pre-commissioning scope from Bechtel for Woodside’s Pluto LNG 2 facility 12/9
- Borouge and Borealis launch Recleo™, a global brand for cost-effective mechanically recycled solutions 12/9
- Topsoe and Carbon Neutral Fuels partner to advance e-SAF with SOEC electrolyzer technology 12/9
- IATA: SAF production growth rate is slowing 12/9
- HyOrc secures 10-yr offtake commitment for green methanol pilot 12/9
