Europe
Petroplus looks to sell France refinery, mulls additional sales
Petroplus plans to sell its Petit Couronne refinery in France amid credit woes. It is also examining options for oil refineries in Antwerp, Belgium, and Cressier, Switzerland.
Novamont, Genomatica sign Europe JV for bio-BDO
Novamont and Genomatica have signed a definitive agreement establishing a joint venture (JV) for the first industrial plant in Europe producing butanediol (BDO) directly from renewable feedstocks. Initial production is expected in 2013. Novamont will have a majority of the equity in the JV, and Genomatica a minority interest.
BP unveils global energy outlook through 2030, boosts demand estimate
Global energy demand will continue to grow over the next 20 years, albeit at a slowing annual rate, fueled by economic and population growth in non-OECD countries, BP said in its Energy Outlook 2030 report. The demand projection is up 1.2% from the year-earlier estimate.
BASF to invest €1bn on new TDI plant in Germany
BASF plans to build a single-train 300,000 tpy production plant for TDI (toluene diisocyanate) and expand additional plants for its precursors at its site in Ludwigshafen. TDI is a key component mainly used for flexible polyurethane foams.
BP may throw financial lifeline to Petroplus - report
BP is considering offering financial assistance to struggling independent oil refiner Petroplus Holdings, the London-based Sunday Times reported, without citing sources. The refiner had lost access to all its credit lines, forcing it to shut down the remaining three refineries.
Statoil temporarily shuts down Hammerfest LNG production after leak
Norwegian energy company Statoil said late Thursday that it temporarily shut down production Wednesday at its liquefied natural gas plant at Melkoya outside Hammerfest, Norway. Statoil's share of production from the plant totals 48,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day of LNG.
EU remains uncertain on timing of Iran oil embargo
A European Union embargo on Iranian oil could be enacted after a six-month grace period under one of the options being considered, but there is still no consensus on the matter. EU diplomats familiar with the discussions said Friday that while six months is one of the possible options, there is no convergence yet.
Chevron warns of weakening downstream results
Chevron expects 2011 fourth-quarter downstream earnings to be down significantly from the third quarter amid lower margins and refinery input volumes. In the US, Gulf coast refining margins fell substantially in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, the company said.
Shell picks Jacobs to engineer tunnels project for German refineries
Jacobs Engineering Group was awarded a contract from Shell to provide project management and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) services to support a tunnels project for refineries in Rhineland, Germany.
LyondellBasell to shut two polypropylene lines in Germany
LyondellBasell will shut down two polypropylene (PP) lines in Wesseling, Germany, by mid-2012, seeking to reduce costs and maintain its competitive position.
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- 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
