Petrochemicals
Ammonia tank sparks massive Texas explosion
The West Fertilizer Co. plant caught fire and exploded late Wednesday, killing up to 15 people, injuring at least 160 and destroying dozens of homes and businesses. The facility was located close to homes and an apartment complex, where many of the injuries occurred, according to reports.
UOP licenses coal-to-olefins process to China plant
It is the fourth licensing win for UOP's advanced MTO process technology. The technology allows petrochemical producers in China and elsewhere to tap cheaper coal and natural gas feedstocks, rather than liquefied petroleum gas or oil, to produce olefins to meet growing demand for petrochemicals.
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.
Shell to expand Singapore petrochemical complex
Shell said the expansion will increase the plant's production capacity of alcohol ethoxylate. The investment comes at a time when the traditionally strong Asian petrochemical industry is seeing margins squeezed by a resurgence in investment in US petrochemical plants based on cheaper shale.
BASF taps Toyo as Asia-Pacific engineering partner for petrochemicals work
The three-year agreement covers basic engineering, detailed engineering, procurement, construction management, and other project-related services in the region's petrochemical and chemical sectors.
LyondellBasell to install NGL fractionators at Corpus Christi olefins site
The fractionation units will be capable of processing a combined 63,000 bpd of NGLs produced from the Eagle Ford shale. The company plans to buy ethane and propane produced at the units, using them as feedstocks for the adjacent Equistar olefins plant to produce ethylene and propylene.
SABIC plans new US ethane cracker, possibly more
Mohammed Al-Mady, CEO of SABIC, said the company is in talks with partners to invest in one or perhaps two projects. The plans for a new ethylene plant are based on an abundance of cheap ethane feedstock derived from the ongoing US shale boom. The company did not disclose a specific location.
KBR wins construction work for revamp, expansion of Texas ammonia furnace
KBR will provide turnaround construction and project management services for the shutdown, maintenance and retubing of the ammonia furnace scheduled to take place in August 2013. The plant turnaround services are expected to increase efficiencies and extend the operational life.
Linde to build gas purification, air separation units for Reliance at Jamnagar
Under the new deal, Linde's engineering division will supply four large air separation units (ASUs) for the production of gaseous oxygen. In addition, to treat the synthesis gas generated during this gasification process, Linde will deliver two RECTISOL acid gas removal units to Reliance.
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.
- ABB Ethernet-APL flowmeters to support digitalization at a large petrochemical complex in China 7/2
- Axens acquires Methanol-to-Propylene technology, expanding its SAF portfolio 7/2
- XRG acquires additional equity interest in Trains 4 and 5 of the Rio Grande LNG project (U.S.) 7/2
- Industry collaboration brings new insights on corrosion under insulation 7/1
- IMI secures major contract to supply wireless vibration monitoring solution in Omani refinery 7/1
- KBR, ReVentas partner to scale polymer dissolution technology to recycle polyethylene and polypropylene 7/1
