25th March downstream news

USA

Louisiana

Valero Energy Corp.’s Meraux refinery had a flaring event on Saturday that concerned some area residents, who complained of odours.

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokeswoman Jean Kelly has confirmed that complaints were received.

Texas

The US government has fined a Koch Industries refinery in Texas US$ 350 000 and negotiated for it to install US$ 46 000 worth of emissions control technology.

Flint Hills Resources, of which Koch Industries is a subsidiary, incurred the fine due to violations of environmental regulations from 2008 to present caused by ‘improperly operating its steam assisted flaring devices’.

India

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) plans to develop its Assam based Numaligarh refinery into an export hub for petroleum products to neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal.

The company has already signed an agreement with Nepal’s Birat Petroleum for supplying petroleum products.

Australia

Heavy rain led to a small release of oily water into Botany bay from the Kurnell Caltex refinery on Monday.

A Caltex spokesperson has said that the release has since been contained and dispersed. Booms will remain in place on the south side of the bay for another tide change as a precautionary measure.

Edited from various sources by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/25032014/downstream_news_304/