Groups list concerns with proposed PHMSA hazardous liquids rules

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposed hazardous liquids pipeline management requirements are a laudable step in some ways, but could create problems and needless duplication in others, according to four national oil and gas associations in three separate filings. Source: News


Pemex lets contract for Madero refinery

Mexico’s Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), through its processing subsidiary Pemex Transformacion Industrial (formerly Pemex Refinacion), has let a contract to Fluor Corp. unit ICA Fluor’s industrial engineering-construction joint venture with Empresas ICA SAB de CV for work related to construction of a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) plant as part of the second phase of the country’s ultralow-sulfur diesel […]


MARKET WATCH: NYMEX oil price drops on stronger dollar

Light, sweet crude prices for February delivery settled with another drop Jan. 8 despite experiencing price gains earlier in the day. The US benchmark oil price settled on the New York market at $33.16/bbl on Jan. 8, which was the lowest closing price since Feb. 9, 2004. Source: News


Westlake plans ethylene expansion at Kentucky plant

Westlake Chemical Partners LP, a subsidiary of Westlake Chemical Corp., Houston, has approved plans to boost ethylene production at affiliate Westlake Chemical OpCo LP’s (OpCo) 630 million-lb/year (286,000 tonne/year) plant at Calvert City, Ky. Source: News


The Saudi provocation

History offers mixed guidance on how deteriorating relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia might affect the oil market. According to the standard analysis, movement toward armed conflict between two major oil producers should create worry about physically threated supply and raise the price of crude. Source: News