Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Europe

Make the case for ‘lean thinking’ in maintenance

Cost Control Systems, LLC: Lamb, R. G.

What is ‘lean’ for maintenance; should companies use?

Global oil, gas firms poised for strong 2011 finish despite market uncertainty - report

Though third-quarter financial news has been decidedly more bearish than bullish, advisory firm Ernst & Young's oil and gas center says it anticipates a steady close to the year. The oil and gas industry is set to end 2011 strong amid great uncertainty in the broader market, according to the firm’s quarterly oil and gas update.

SABIC creates venture capital arm for technology investment

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) has announced the launch of a new global corporate venture capital arm, SABIC Ventures, in the Netherlands, with the primary goal of seeking out innovative technologies and businesses consistent with the company's global strategy.

Study says isobutanol-gasoline blends are superior to ethanol in small engines

In side by side performance, durability and emissions testing of small engines, gasoline blended with isobutanol performed better than blends using ethanol, according to new research from renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels firm Gevo. The results demonstrated that unlike ethanol, blends incorporating isobutanol do not cause any irregular or unstable engine or performance issues.

Chemical M&A surging amid major US deals - PwC

Mega deals involving US-based companies in the global chemicals industry helped raise merger and acquisition (M&A) deal value to $16 billion in the third quarter of 2011, according to Chemical Compounds, a quarterly analysis of M&A activity in the global chemicals industry by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Sasol picks Foster Wheeler for EPCm on gas-fired power plant in South Africa

Foster Wheeler says it has received an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services contract from Sasol for the outside battery limit (OBL) portion of a new gas-fired power generation plant at Sasolburg, South Africa.

Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site

US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.

LUKoil begins $3bn/year investment plan for Russia downstream projects

Russia’s largest private oil company LUKoil has begun construction on a gas processing plant (GPP) included in a gas chemical facility (GCF) in Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Territory, part of the company’s plan to invest $3 billion/year in downstream operations from 2012 through 2014.

BP reaches turning point in oil output, safety - CEO

As BP announced its third-quarter financial results on Tuesday, group CEO Bob Dudley put forther more details on BP’s future direction and strategic priorities, saying the company had reached a clear turning point in oil and gas production.

Statoil extends Aker pact for Norway refinery work

Statoil has exercised its option for a three-year extension of its minor modifications frame agreement with Aker Solutions for the Mongstad refinery, located on Norway's west coast.