The accompanying table shows how Nelson-Farrar indexes have changed over the 3-year period, 2014-16, for selected basically nonmetallic building materials. Source: News

Centrifugal pumps are the most common pumps in a process plant. Despite their pivotal role in operations, however, they are often the plant’s least understood and most inefficiently operated equipment. Source: News

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) was the focus of extensive discussion at the 2016 American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Q&A and Technology Forum, Sept. 25-28, in Baltimore, where refiners addressed issues related both to using FCC units to maximize gasoline octane and maintaining their operational reliability and safety during catalyst changeovers. Source: News

Lisa Mitchell has been named chief financial officer of Lekoil, Lagos. Source: News

Victoria Oil & Gas PLC, London, has placed the Logbaba Well La-107 in Cameroon on production after it was flow tested to a maximum rate of 54 MMcfd of gas on a 70/64-in. choke, with a stabilized flowing wellhead pressure of 2,951 psig. Source: News

The Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) forecast continual growth in oil sands production to 2036 in its latest report on oil sands supply costs. The report also evaluated how greenhouse gas emission caps will affect future production rates. Source: News

Lower world production costs, US shale growth potential, and shale producers’ ability to quickly respond to changing market conditions likely will keep average annual oil prices below $60/bbl for the long term, Fitch Ratings of Chicago said. Source: News

Experiments using heavy crude oil samples from PetroChina’s Shengli oil field show ultrasonic irradiation can reduce viscosity by up to 85%, enhancing oil recovery. Increasing production from the aging Shengli field is difficult because of its 90% water cut. Source: News