-BASF and Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara are planning to build a 750,000-metric-tons-per-year ammonia plant at BASF’s Freeport, Texas, facility. It would use a hydrogen synthesis process to manufacture ammonia — a key product in BASF’s U.S. downstream activities.
-A subsidiary of Southern California Telephone & Energy (SCT&E) has acquired 232 acres in Cameron Parish, La., to build a $2.4 billion natural gas liquefaction facility. Via the Baton Rouge, La., Advocate, SCT&E CEO Greg Michaels said his company would build four 1.1 million-tons-per-year LNG production units. The Advocate also reported Houston-based Louisiana LNG Energy had secured financing for its planned LNG export terminal in Plaquemines Parish.
-Delek US Holdings said this week it boosted light crude processing capacity at its El Dorado, Ark., refinery after completing a turnaround in February.
-The EPA on Friday began a process that could lead to the requirement that drillers disclose to the government and the public the chemicals used in fracking operations. Disclosure of fracking chemicals is already required by some states, and some companies such as Baker Hughes are reporting voluntarily. Via Bloomberg, Obama administration officials have said publicly the president would allow states to retain primary authority for regulating hydraulic fracturing.
-Celanese on Thursday said CFO Steven Sterin had resigned. Celanese Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Accounting Officer Chris Jensen will assume the position on an interim basis. Company CEO Mark Rohr said in a statement Celanese would soon begin an external search for a permanent replacement.
