22 May: North American downstream news

Canada

Suncor Energy has said that maintenance at its Montreal refinery was completed quicker than expected. The overhaul employed 900 people and planned maintenance began on 21 April. The company did factor production impact in to its annual guidance whist the work was being carried out.

The Korean owned Come By Chance refinery is said to not be sold, as far as the province is aware. However, news sources have reported that a sale is close. The refinery was put up for sale last year after the owners lose CAN$ 106 million in the first six months of taking over the facility. BP have reportedly been assessing the facility over the last month, but no confirmed talks have been reported.

USA

Residents of West Bountiful have asked for clarification from Holly Refinery with regards to a proposed berm that was not originally shown on expansion plans. A substation was also not apparently included on the expansion plans, submitted by Rocky Mountain Power. The berm is apparently going to be a permanent fixture with surrounding full landscape, said a refinery official after the complaints were lodged.

On Wednesday 21 May GE hosted a job fair in Lafayette as it sought to fill 65 positions ranging from completion engineers and junior completion engineers to pipe recovery specialists and sales people. The company was also looking for machinists, materials planners and product quality technicians.

Hess Corporation has announced that it has agreed to sell its retail business to Marathon Petroleum Corporation for a total cash consideration of US$ 2.6 billion. Hess Retail is the largest chain of company operated gas stations and convenience stores along the East Coast with 1342 locations. John B. Hess, CEO said, ‘the sale of our retail business marks the culmination of our strategic transformation into a pure play exploration and production company. I especially want to express my deepest appreciation to our employees in the retail business for their outstanding work and extraordinary dedication over the years building the Hess brand and serving our loyal customers.’

Energy Storage North America (ESNA), is seeking project nominations for its 2014 Innovation Awards. To nominate a project, please visit http://esnaexpo.com/awards . The ESNA Advisory Board will nominate the Energy Storage Champions and the winners will be announced on 1 October 2014.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/22052014/22_may_canada_usa_downstream_news/