Europe
Technip to form downstream engineering venture with Russian group Rostec
The joint venture agreement, aimed at improving the construction and renovation of refining and petrochemical units in Russia, was signed with Rostec subsidiary Rustechexport. The two companies are also aiming to establish a joint venture to manufacture flexible pipelines and umbilicals in Russia.
Germany debates fracking as energy costs rise
This week, the government unveiled a proposal that it hopes can bridge the gap between pro-fracking advocates in industry and environmentally conscious voters. Through a change to existing laws, the government is proposing banning fracking near any water supply.
Gazprom to market LNG of Tamar project in Israel
The state-controlled energy firm is increasing its involvement in LNG as demand for gas delivered by pipeline to Europe, its most lucrative market, declines. In recent years large amounts of natural gas have been discovered off Israel's coast. The Tamar field contains around 9 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Clariant opens new AMPS polymers plant in Spain
Two separate lines will produce polymers for the industrial and consumer specialties unit and the company's oil and mining services business. These range from emulsifiers and rheology modifiers for use in face creams, to fluid loss control additives for well cements used in oil and gas drilling.
SIBUR to build methanol separating unit in Russia
Low methanol content is a requirement of many consumers. The new unit will be the next step in SIBUR’s ongoing goal to lower the content of methanol in the propane fraction, this time in a range not exceeding 50 parts per million, according to the company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cameroon police arrest ousted refinery manager for burglary of prior office
Metouck had been general manager at Sonara for the last decade but last Friday was replaced by Ibrahim Talba Malla at the end of the corporation's board meeting. The former GM was arrested on Monday after having been discovered to have discretely entered the new GM's office.
Tanker drivers to strike for three days at Scottish refinery in Grangemouth
The strike, which will affect delivery of aviation and motor fuel from the 210,000 bpd refinery, is being taken in order to defend pension rights ahead of a transfer of their employment contracts from BP to DHL. BP said in a statement that its priority remains the safe delivery of fuel products.
BASF awards engineering work to Fluor on German toluene diisocyanate plant
The single-train, 300,000 tpy plant will produce TDI and expand additional plants as precursors for polyurethanes at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen. Production is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014.
EU emissions program threatened by falling prices
Europe's flagship effort to limit greenhouse-gas emissions faces an existential threat as the price of emissions has fallen dramatically, eroding an incentive for industries to pollute less and forcing policy makers to weigh environmental priorities against economic concerns.
Russia's SIBUR establishes polypropylene trading groups in Turkey, Ukraine
The new trading arms will enhance SIBUR’s flexibility in adjusting to clients’ needs, give the company extra competitive edge in strategic markets, and increase sales through access to end consumers, according to the company. Turkey is one of the global leaders for polypropylene consumption.
- Industry collaboration brings new insights on corrosion under insulation 7/1
- IMI secures major contract to supply wireless vibration monitoring solution in Omani refinery 7/1
- KBR, ReVentas partner to scale polymer dissolution technology to recycle polyethylene and polypropylene 7/1
- Yara to reallocate capital from abandoned $2.9-B Louisiana Clean Energy complex project 7/1
- Schneider Electric to acquire Cognite in $3.1-B all cash deal 7/1
- BASF and Carlyle complete coating transaction, an enterprise value of €7.7 billion 7/1
