Europe
IEA warns of no progress on clean energy goals
The IEA estimates that a cut in the carbon emissions per unit of energy of more than 60% is needed to prevent global average temperatures rising by more than two degrees Celsius in the long term, and maintaining current levels would yield a temperature increase of six degrees Celsius.
BASF awards process engineering pact to Jacobs for Antwerp chemicals site
Under terms of the contract, Jacobs is providing process, piping and electrical/ instrumentation engineering services to the Antwerp chemicals site. Officials said the contract duration is three years.
Fluor wins FEED work from BP, Shell for clean fuels project in South Africa
The project will enable a substantial upgrade of the SAPREF refinery, thereby improving the quality of transportation fuels by reducing levels of sulfur, benzene and aromatics and meeting enhanced legislative requirements. The deal allows for a possible EPCm contract to be signed at a later date.
French court rejects bids for Petroplus refinery
The court considered Libya's Murzuk Oil and Dubai-based NetOil as potential bidders after months of selection, but they didn't offer enough financial strength for a project that requires heavy investment. The court-appointed receiver will now seek a buyer for the plant's assets and dismantle it if none is found.
Shell mulls sale of downstream businesses in Italy
The potential sale is consistent with Shell’s strategy to concentrate its global downstream businesses where it can be most competitive, according to company officials. Recent examples include the sale of refineries in the UK and Germany and downstream businesses in Finland and Sweden.
Uganda seals deal to build refinery, export pipeline
The agreement to build a refinery with a capacity of just 30,000 bpd was reached following a meeting on Saturday between Mr. Museveni and representatives of the oil companies. It follows a warning from Total in February that failure to include an export pipeline in the plan would stall the development.
IEA cuts global oil demand outlook, warns on supply
The downward revision by the Paris-based consumer group reflects similar moves by other industry forecasters as concerns over the global economy continue to weigh on demand expectations. The decline reflects very weak demand from industrialized countries, particularly in Europe.
EMGC '13: Gas infrastructure development critical for Eastern Mediterranean
Day 2 of EMGC’s technical program addressed regional infrastructure developments in the morning, while the afternoon speakers focused on resource development in Cyprus and Israel.
Algeria to double refining capacity within five years
Algeria's state-run energy group, Sonatrach, has said it plans to invest $80 billion in oil and natural gas projects until 2016 as it seeks to expand the gas resource base, boost refining and petrochemical capacity and curb dependence on imported fuel. The nation produced 1.16 million bpd of oil last month.
Global chemical industry to see modest growth, driven by M&A activity
In its 2013 outlook, Deloitte finds that the financial influences of globalization, market maturation in China, and raw material trends will position M&A as an effective strategic tool.
- European Commission unveils plan to drop ICE ban in the EU 12/18
- U.S. EPA expects to finalize biofuel rules in first quarter of 2026 12/18
- German cabinet approves draft biofuels law, food-based ingredient use to continue 12/18
- NextChem opens new plastic upcycling plant in Italy 12/18
- Ineos' Sir Jim Ratcliffe calls on Europe's politicians to take immediate action to protect the European chemical industry 12/18
- MB Energy expands aviation fuel supply to airlines at Copenhagen Airport 12/18
