News

BP announced has completed the commissioning and start-up of its new 250,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) crude distillation unit at the Whiting Refinery, marking a major milestone in the multi-billion dollar upgrade of the facility in Northwest Indiana. “The safe start-up of this large sophisticated crude-processing unit at the Whiting Refinery has returned the refinery to its nameplate processing capability of 413,000 barrels per day — initially of mostly light, sweet crude — and paved the way for the remaining upgrades to the plant to be brought on-line”, said Iain Conn, chief executive of BP’s refining and marketing segment.

The Hyundai-Wison consortium has selected Technip to supply proprietary technology as well as engineering and procurement services for its two hydrogen reformers in Venezuela.

Metso’s new line of Neles globe control valves launched last year, which targeted the Asia Pacific, Chinese and Indian petrochemical, refining and oil & gas industries in its first phase, will be launched globally in 2014. The new globe control product line builds and expands on technology and service capabilities acquired when Metso purchased the South Korean company Valstone Control in 2012.

Seadrill and SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad’s jointly owned entity, Sapura Navegação Marítima (SNM), Brazil has been contracted by Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) to charter and operate three Pipe Laying Support Vessels (PLSVs).

ACS Valves introduces a new line of cast iron rotary airlock valves designed to extend the primary process optimisation benefits typically associated with high-end, specialty-application valve designs to general industry.

McDermott International, Inc. has announced that one of its subsidiaries has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Exxon Mobil Corporation for its Julia development.

Oceaneering International has secured a contract with ExxonMobil Corporation to supply a production control umbilical for its Julia field development located in the Gulf of Mexico Walker Ridge block. The order is for an electro-hydraulic, steel tube umbilical approximately 22.5km in length.

Badger Meter has announced the introduction of the Research Control SRD series of smart valve positioners that deliver robust, actionable diagnostic information about valve performance and help process industry facilities comply with recent fugitive emissions regulations.

Flowserve Corporation signed a collaborative agreement with Advanced Diamond Technologies, Inc. (ADT) to become the exclusive developer and supplier of diamond coated hard faces for its mechanical seals.When applied to Flowserve base materials, the ultrananocrystalline-structured diamond (UNCD) coating developed by ADT produces an exceptionally hard surface with significantly improved friction and wear characteristics.

Samson Controls has introduced the Type 3725 valve positioner. The compact positioner is rugged and easy to use and has been developed to ensure the precise and reliable control of small or large flows occurring in food processing, pulp and paper and bottling plants.