Posts in refining
Shell Sued for Refinery Pollution
Several green groups have sued Shell Oil and its affiliates, claiming the oil giant has for years released pollutants from its suburban Houston refinery that are well above state and federal limits. In their federal lawsuit, the Sierra Club and Environment Texas claim the excess air pollutants, including toxic chemicals benzene and 1,3-butadiene, are a…
Continue reading ‘Shell Sued for Refinery Pollution’.Explosion at Iraq’s Main Oil Refinery
Further trouble for Iraq’s beleaguered oil industry. An explosion today at a fuel storage tank caused a huge blaze at the country’s largest refinery some 180 km north of Baghdad, injuring at least 36 workers. The fire is said to be spreading. “This is the biggest fire I have ever seen at Baiji refinery. We…
Continue reading ‘Explosion at Iraq’s Main Oil Refinery’.Victims of Oil
The shop around the corner raised the price of sandwiches by a quarter this week. Although the housing meltdown is raising concerns that it may take the whole American economy down with it, prices are going up and the reason is the cost of oil. Oil, and therefore gas, prices remain at near-record levels. A…
Continue reading ‘Victims of Oil’.Refining Shortage Causes High Gas Prices
America’s high gas prices are being caused, in part, by what has been called an “invisible hurricane” – have been plagued by a record number of fires, power failures, leaks, spills and breakdowns this year, causing dozens of them to shut down temporarily or trim production. These mechanical breakdowns have created a bottleneck in domestic…
Continue reading ‘Refining Shortage Causes High Gas Prices’.BP Freezes Payments to Browne
It may not be such a happy retirement for Lord Browne. His former employer, BP has frozen payments worth more than £1.5m owed to him, while a court case is resolved. John Manzoni, the outgoing head of BP’s refining operations, is also having payments worth nearly £500,000 suspended.
BP Explosion Report ‘Toned Down’
BP’s internal investigator has admitted in sworn testimony that his final draft report on the UK company’s management responsibility for the 2005 Texas refinery explosion was toned down. Wilhelm Bonse-Geuking, BP’s European refining group vice-president, was charged with leading a team to determine management responsibility for the devastating explosion which killed 15.
Big Oil Grilled By House Anti-Trust Panel
Big Oil went on the defensive this week, being grilled before a House Judiciary Committee antitrust panel. It denied denying accusations that mismanagement and a lack of competition are the reasons behind this spring’s record gasoline prices in the US. Already there have been four record prices this week. The surge has been attributed to…
Continue reading ‘Big Oil Grilled By House Anti-Trust Panel’.Shell Oil Fined For Pollution at California Refinery
Shell’s subsidiary, Shell Oil Products has paid nearly $3 million in penalties at its California refinery following an equipment failure that sent nearly 1,000 tons of excess carbon monoxide into the air. The pollution escaped the refinery in Martinez back in March after three boilers that simultaneously produce steam and control the plant’s carbon monoxide…
Continue reading ‘Shell Oil Fined For Pollution at California Refinery’.BP Expands in Pakistan
BP looks set to win a controlling stake in Pakistan State Oil (PSO) in a deal worth around $600 million.The Pakistani Government owns 54 per cent of PSO and is selling 51 per cent stake in the group, leaving 3 per cent in government hands. BP has been competing with Petronas, the Malaysian oil and…
Continue reading ‘BP Expands in Pakistan’.NZ Greens Unveil New Climate Policy
The New Zealand Green Party has unveiled a new climate change policy that rejects carbon taxes and emissions trading in favour of an emitter-pays approach. They argue their solution offers the best hope of carbon charges and trading while ensuring taxpayers are not left holding the estimated $600 million bill for New Zealand’s Kyoto liabilities…
Continue reading ‘NZ Greens Unveil New Climate Policy’.
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