ADNOC acquires six VLCCs

ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC LandS), the shipping and maritime logistics arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, announced the acquisition of six Very Large Crude Carriers.

Shell aims to produce clean aviation fuel, naphtha

Royal Dutch Shell in Germany aims to produce aviation fuel and naphtha made from crops and renewable power and to increase to commercial scale an electrolysis plant that makes fossil-free hydrogen.

Drax scraps plan for new gas-fired power plant

DRAX has decided to abandon a controversial plan to build Europe’s biggest gas-fired power plant, in North Yorkshire, UK.

Chinese refiners cool on crude purchases as oil futures rally

China's crude oil imports are set to slow in the second quarter after Brent prices hit a 13-month high, cooling demand and capping refiners' margins as they prepare to shut for planned maintenance, industry sources and analysts said.

Dow exec sees climate change as opportunity for petchem innovation

Dow Inc is adjusting its carbon footprint and product slate to adapt to climate change and tap evolving consumption trends tied to the global energy transition.

Nigeria loses 200,000 barrels a day to theft, vandalism, state oil firm says

Nigeria is losing 200,000 barrels of crude oil a day because of theft and vandalism, the head of the state oil company said, underscoring how insecurity is causing vast financial losses for the West African country.

Equinor and Engie announce hydrogen partnership

EQUINOR and Engie have announced a partnership for the development of low-carbon hydrogen.

UK announces nuclear waste competition winners

FOURTEEN companies have won contracts in a £3.9m (US$5.5m) competition aimed at developing a waste toolkit that will contribute to meeting the aims of the nation’s nuclear sector deal.

Consortium investigates Australian P2X industry

A RESEARCH consortium led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Australia is investigating the potential to grow a new power-to-X (P2X) industry to benefit a range of New South Wales (NSW) infrastructure. The industry could contribute to accelerating a hydrogen economy.

Accelerating novel vaccine inactivation method

SEEKING to accelerate a novel method for producing inactivated vaccines to market and ensure competitivity, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation has partnered with a specialist machinery manufacturer and an information analysis company. The novel method could make vaccine production faster, safer, and cheaper.

Velocys signs agreement for commercial-scale biomass-to-jet fuel in Japan

VELOCYS has signed a collaboration agreement with Toyo Engineering to produce renewable fuels in Japan at commercial scale.

ExxonMobil creates low-carbon business

EXXONMOBIL has created a new business unit to commercialise its low-carbon portfolio, which it is calling Low Carbon Solutions (LCS).

Howard Energy completes purchase of Javelina gas plant

AstraZeneca plans to expand European vaccine manufacturing

ASTRAZENECA has signed a deal with IDT Biologika to explore options to accelerate manufacturing of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine in Europe.

Closure of Altona refinery fuels concerns about Australian manufacturing

EXXONMOBIL is closing its Altona refinery in Victoria, Australia. The decision comes hot on the heels of BP’s plans to shut the Kwinana refinery and has elevated concerns about fuel security and the future of downstream manufacturing in Australia.

UK offers £40m for manufacturers to plan and deploy greener technologies

THE UK Government is offering £40m (US$56m) in funding for energy-intensive companies to conduct feasibility and engineering studies, and deploy greener technologies.

Petrobras finds buyer for RLAM refinery

Australia plans network of hydrogen clusters

A NETWORK of hydrogen technology clusters is to be established across Australia with the aim of creating a globally competitive hydrogen industry.

IOC adding new processing unit at Haldia refinery

Indian Oil Corp.has broken ground on construction of a new processing unit to improve quality and production capacity of lubricant base oils at its recently expanded 8-million tonnes/year refinery in Haldia, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India.

CVR Energy advances alkylation unit revamp at Wynnewood refinery

CVR Energy Inc. has let a contract to KBR Inc. to provide a suite of additional services for the second phase of a proposed project to convert process technology of an existing hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit at a subsidiary refinery in Wynnewood, Okla.

New Kletz book compiles safety pioneer’s lessons for a new generation

ICHEME has published a new book showcasing the works of process safety pioneer Trevor Kletz.

New bacterium can improve wastewater treatment

A NEWLY-discovered bacterium strain could be used to remove nitrogen and phosphorous from sewage wastewater. The method is more environmentally friendly and cheaper than current wastewater treatment processes.

Court finds Shell liable for Nigerian oil spills

A DUTCH appeals court has ruled that Shell is responsible for the consequences of oil spills in two Nigerian villages from its subsidiary Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC). A decision regarding oil spills in a third village is yet to be made.

IChemE Fellows awarded 2021 Australia Day Honours

LAST week, chemical engineers and Fellows of IChemE Chris Fell and the late Graeme Paul were recognised with Australia Day Honours.

Valneva starts manufacturing Covid-19 vaccine

VALNEVA has announced that it has started manufacturing its Covid-19 vaccine as clinical trials are ongoing.