Total acquiring battery maker Saft Groupe

Total SA will acquire 90.14% of the capital and voting rights of Saft Groupe SA, a designer and manufacturer of advanced-technology batteries for industry based in Bagnolet, France, under a public tender offer to be settled July 21. Source: News


Cameron LNG expansion project gets non-FTA export nod

Cameron LNG has received authorization from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to export an additional 1.41 bcfd from its proposed Louisiana liquefaction expansion project to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the US. Following approval, Cameron LNG’s export capacity will be 24.92 million tons/year, or 3.53 bcfd. Source: News


Petro Rabigh partially restarts ethylene unit

Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co. (Petro Rabigh), a joint venture of Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical Co., has initiated restart of the 1.6 million-tonnes/year ethane cracker at its refinery and chemicals complex in the port city of Rabigh on the Red Sea following a preventative shutdown of the unit in late June. Source: News


Magellan Midstream to build Texas marine terminal

Magellan Midstream Partners LP plans to construct a high-capacity marine terminal along the Houston Ship Channel in Pasadena, Tex., to handle refined petroleum products, including various grades of gasoline and diesel fuel, and renewable fuels. Source: News


EIA: US oil companies closer to self-finance

As US oil companies’ spending falls and crude oil prices increase, their immediate financial situations are improving and the need for companies to find external sources of funding may decline. Source: News


LaFehr named president of Baytex Energy

Ed LaFehr has been named president of Baytex Energy Corp., Calgary, effective July 18. He will report to James Bowzer, chief executive officer. Source: News


Eni group lets contract for Zubair water injection installation

A group led by Eni SPA awarded a water-injection installation contract worth about $60 million in the ongoing redevelopment of supergiant Zubair oil field in southern Iraq. Drake & Scull International PJSC announced July 18 that it received an engineering, procurement, and construction contract. Source: News


Saudi shipping firm to be top VLCC operator

National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) says it will become the world’s largest operator of very large crude carriers (VLCCs) following acquisitions by a shipping fund it’s launching with Arab Petroleum Investments Corp. (APICORP). Source: News