Environment & Safety
HP Integration Strategies: US biodiesel industry regains momentum
According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) trade organization, the US biodiesel industry produced more than one billion gallons (B gal) of biodiesel fuel in 2011, surpassing the 800 million gallo..
HP Viewpoint: Interview with UOP
Hydrocarbon Processing had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Rajeev Gautam, president and CEO of UOP, A Honeywell Co., and discuss several high-level factors impacting the global hydrocarbon processing..
HP Automation Safety: It’s all about the safety PLC—not!
Focus on the big safety improvements and the real problems. This fundamental concept applies to many tasks in addition to functional safety.
HP Impact: A big market for catalytic and thermal treatment
In 2013, just under $26 billion will be spent to remove carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate carbon from stationary and mobile sources. Ninety-two percent of the market purchase..
HP Industry Perspectives: Energy industry expects approval on the Keystone XL
With US President Barack Obama’s second four-year term now secure, most in the global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) expect the Obama administration to ultimately approve the controversial..
California safety board fines Chevron $1 million for Richmond refinery fire
The Richmond refinery fire in August lasted for hours, sending plumes of black smoke over the San Francisco Bay and causing an estimated 15,000 local residents to visit emergency rooms. An investigation into the fire is ongoing but so far has focused on a corroded pipe leading from the main CDU.
EPA proposes near 9% increase in 2013 for US renewable fuels mandate
The agency said it intended to require US refiners and fuel importers to use a total of 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuel during 2013, compared to 15.2 billion gallons last year. As in previous years, the lion's share of that mandate is expected to be met with ethanol made from Midwestern corn.
BP names new head of safety, operational risk
Bob Fryar, who is executive vice president for production in BP's upstream business, will take up his new position from Feb. 15. The role includes oversight for security. He will take over from Mark Bly, who has headed BP's safety functions since March 2008 and who plans to retire from BP in the summer.
Norway to review security at oil, gas facilities after terrorist attack in Algeria
The comments from the minister of petroleum and energy illustrate how the attack in Algeria, which caused the deaths of at least 37 foreign workers and was of a scale and ferocity not previously seen on oil facilities in that region, has forced a broad reappraisal of energy industry security in other countries.
Jacobs to manage SoCalGas pipeline safety project
Phase 1A of the Southern California company's pipeline safety enhancement program consists of pressure testing 360 miles of existing pipelines; replacing 246 miles of the 3,750 mile pipeline system; and upgrading or replacing 173 mainline valves. The contract value was not disclosed.
- 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

