Europe
BASF chief executive expects no drop in oil prices
German chemical company BASF doesn't expect oil prices to fall in the foreseeable future, CEO Kurt Bock said Friday at the firm's annual general meeting. Whether the company can pass on higher costs to customers will depend on how the economy develops, he said.
BG to sell 40% stake in Chile LNG plant to Enagas
UK-based BG Group agreed to sell its 40% equity interest in the GNL Quintero (GNLQ) liquefied natural gas terminal to Spain-based Enagas. The agreements reached apply to BG Group's shareholding in GNLQ - the owner and operator of the 2.5 million tpy regasification terminal in Quintero, Chile.
Italy's Eni sees challenging 2012 on weak economy, competition from renewables
On the energy markets, Eni said gas demand is expected to be weak due to the economic slowdown and increasing competition from renewables. The Italian company has one of the biggest gas operations in Europe. "The troubles on the financial markets are not over," an executive said.
Klesch, other buyers in talks to acquire Petroplus refinery in France
French Energy Minister Eric Besson said talks are underway with Swiss privately held Klesch Group and other potential buyers for the acquisition of a French refinery that belongs to Petroplus. The refinery is located in Petit-Couronne and is reported to have a capacity of 161,800 bpd.
Pöyry wins engineering on UPM Finland biorefinery
The Pöyry Industry business group has been awarded a contract for detail engineering in the UPM biorefinery project in Lappeenranta, Finland. The Lappeenranta biorefinery is UPM's first step in a strategy toward becoming a key player in advanced biofuels production, officials said.
Axens wins top France safety award for Salindres catalyst, adsorbent site
Axens is receiving a top annual safety award in the category of responsible care from the Union of the French Chemical Industries (UIC) for its Salindres plant in the Gard region. Axens will be presented with the award in Paris on Thursday, April 26, at the UIC general meeting.
Mitsubishi, Notore form joint venture for ammonia, urea complex in Nigeria
Notore Chemical Industries has signed a joint venture agreement with Japan-based Mitsubishi to develop an ammonia, urea and other petrochemicals plant at its existing facility at Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria. The new plant, built on a brownfield site, is expected to come on-stream in 2016.
Amor signs process control pact with Aera Energy
Aera Energy, a California-based oil and gas producer, has selected Amor Group to review and enhance the security of its various process control systems. Under the deal, Amor will provide an in-depth review of Aera’s security policy and procedures through its ProcessSecurity+ offering.
Alfa Laval to supply heat exchangers for Morocco fertilizer producer
Heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling company Alfa Laval has won an order to supply Alfa Laval plate heat exchangers to a fertilizer producer in Morocco. Delivery is scheduled to start during 2012 and be finalized in 2014. The plate heat exchangers will be used in a cooling process.
Shell awards engineering pact to Kvaerner for gas processing plant in Norway
Shell has awarded Kvaerner with an EPCm deal for modifications and projects at its Ormen Lange/Nyhamna onshore facilities on the west coast of Norway. The Nyhamna gas plant processes natural gas from the Ormen Lange gas field located in the Møre Basin in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea.
- UPM unlocks new bio-based markets as Leuna biorefinery produces its first commercial product 12/19
- Stamicarbon awarded technology licensing contract for new urea plant in Eastern China 12/19
- Ford takes $19.5-B writedown on EV business 12/19
- Babcock & Wilcox awarded $40-MM contract for advanced wet gas scrubbing technology at Canadian petroleum refinery 12/19
- Aarti Industries secures methanol and toluene feedstock supply through multiple long-term contracts 12/19
- bp picks first outsider CEO Meg O'Neill after abrupt Auchincloss exit 12/19
