Industry: Oil & Gas

Decreased gasoline demand and higher corn prices are causing ethanol plant shutdowns, with limited demand growth expected due to near-saturated E10 blending and concerns over E15’s potential vehicle damage and performance issues.

Advocacy around natural gas vehicles has attracted interest but meaningful penetration of natural gas in the transportation sector is limited by a number of technological hurdles. Natural gas storage and compression are two of many such hurdles.

Was the debate about fracking defended correctly?

Recent months have brought increasing optimism for refiners, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Rockies, and Midwest. Capitalizing on this potential upturn necessitates operational excellence, capital discipline, and favorable market conditions.

The North American success story has motivated a number of foreign countries and companies to initiate efforts toward developing their local shale gas resources. The potential is very promising. A study commissioned by the EIA concluded that nearly 6,000 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas reserves are available in 32 countries. This is far more […]

Süd-Chemie launches improved PDH catalyst for Catofin technology Süd-Chemie, a Clariant subsidiary, says that its “breakthrough” catalyst used in the Lummus Catofin propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology has been successful in delivering a significant increase in propylene selectivity, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. The new catalyst, introduced just more than a year ago, has delivered a […]

AMERICAS FlexPO 2012 CMR Inc. recently concluded its 21st annual FlexPO conference. The conference was conducted over two days in downtown Houston, TX, and featured speakers from across the globe. The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Balaji Singh, President of CMR. Dr. Balaji Singh welcomed all the delegates and introduced the main theme for the […]

AMERICAS Shell selects site near Monaca, Pittsburgh for petrochemical refinery Shell Oil Co. has chosen a site near Pittsburgh for a major, multi-billion-dollar petrochemical refinery that could create thousands of construction jobs and provide a huge economic boost to the region. Shell has signed a land option agreement with Horsehead Corp. to evaluate a site […]

AMERICAS Ethylene XXI financing completion is expected by end of April Negotiations for a financing package for the Ethylene XXI complex planned by Braskem and Grupo Idesa for Coatzacoalcos, Mexico are expected to be making good progress, with final formal closing expected by the end of April. Ethylene XXI would include a 1,050 KTA ethylene […]

AMERICAS Eastman to acquire Solutia for USD 4.7 billion Eastman Chemical has reached an agreement to acquire Solutia for about USD 4.7 billion in cash and stock. Eastman expects the purchase to create a leading specialty chemical maker and offer the opportunity to grow its presence in Asia. Solutia shareholders will receive USD 22/share in […]

EPA Seeks Outside Experts to Review Controversial Fracking Report EPA is requesting nominations for outside experts to review its controversial report linking water contamination in Wyoming to hydraulic fracturing. EPA’s draft analysis met with resistance from some in the industry, which has called for a rigorous review of EPA’s findings. Nominations will be due by […]

AMERICAS Polypropylene resin prices drop sharply North American polypropylene resin prices have dropped an average of 14 cents per pound since Oct. 1, while polyethylene prices have taken a smaller, 3-cent drop since then as well. The PP price drop ends a two-month period in which prices were flat. Prices for the material had reduced […]