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Refining

Suncor picks KBR to maintain Edmonton refinery

KBR will assist with turnaround planning review, maintenance, pipe fabrication and long-term execution plans for the Suncor Edmonton refinery. Financial terms of the three-year agreement were not disclosed.

Emerson to supply control valves to Technip for Algiers refinery upgrade

The Algiers refinery, located 10 km south of Algiers, in Algeria, is being revamped to increase crude oil processing capacity and ensure it can produce gasoline at specifications similar to those used throughout Europe. Emerson will supply about 600 of its Fisher control valves and regulators.

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.

BHP Billiton chairman urges US to promote exports of onshore oil, natural gas

Jacques Nasser, BHP Billiton chairman since 2010, says the export of onshore oil and gas, which has surged in recent years as new extraction techniques have been developed, will bring geopolitical benefits around the world and also create a large number of highly skilled jobs.

SABIC signs research pact with MIT to develop unconventional feedstocks

The agreement paves the way for SABIC and MIT to work together to develop new practical innovation for the company’s solutions and processes in order to meet global needs from developing unconventional feedstocks to innovating new material solutions, SABIC said in a statement.

Pemex picks Spanish companies to build Mexican refinery cogeneration plant

Pemex said the future facility will be equipped with a heavy-duty type gas turbine as well as with a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), with supplementary combustion associated to the gas turbine, which will generate 115 t/h of steam at a pressure of 19 kg/cm² and 275 º C.

Eni crude business in Iran may lead to US sanctions

Eni's daily output in Iran averaged 3,000 bbl of oil equivalent in 2012, representing less than 1% of the company's total production. Eni said its refining and marketing division bought 498,000 metric tons of Iranian crude in 2012, paying the country's state oil company $396 million.

Saudi downplays shale boom outside US, Canada

The extra supply is not a competitive threat because it costs more to produce than oil in most of OPEC's member countries, a Saudi official said. "There are many difficulties that face the production activities of shale oil... most importantly, the high production cost which amounts to about $70 to $80/bbl."

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.

Shell offers to sell stake in top Czech refinery

"We received an offer from Shell and it's led to negotiations," Industry Minister Martin Kuba said. The minister is also said that Shell offered its stake to the two other shareholders in the refinery, which have an option to purchase the stake before it's offered to third parties.