-A shortage of construction labor could inflate costs and delay completion of new petrochemical projects in the U.S., according to a new report by Petrochemical Update. Via FuelFix, refiners are working on more than 30 expansion projects worth $14 billion as they take advantage of a glut of cheap domestic crude oil. The industry, however, suffers from a shortage of workers who have experience in managing such large-scale investments. The report’s authors recommend companies solicit ideas both from their own employees and outside experts to manage major projects.
-Two workers died Tuesday while erecting scaffolding at a Petrobras oil terminal construction project in Brazil. Via Reuters, the workers drowned after the scaffolding fell off the end of a pier and pulled them into the water. The workers were strapped to the scaffolding with belts despite work authorizations that recommended they use life jackets.
-A new study shows some natural gas operations in the Barnett Shale have leaked much more methane than previously estimated by the EPA. Via FuelFix, researchers at the Environmental Defense Fund said 15 sites out of 152 studied in the Fort Worth, Texas, area — including well pads, compressor stations, processing plants, well pads and landfills — showed high methane emission rates. Methane emissions were “considerably higher” near compressor stations and processing plants than well pads. The researchers were not allowed on the sites.
-Williams on Wednesday said its Transco subsidiary filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its $130 million New York Bay Expansion Project. The expansion is designed to deliver an additional 115,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas into New York City by the 2017-18 heating season.
-Chevron Phillips Chemical today announced several senior management changes that will take effect Aug. 1. Mark Lashier, currently executive vice president, Olefins & Polyolefins, will become executive vice president, Commercial. Ron Corn, currently senior vice president, Specialties, Aromatics & Styrenics, will become senior vice president, Projects & Supply Chain. Senior Vice President of Projects Scott Sharp will become senior vice president, Manufacturing. All three will report to company CEO Peter Cella. Chevron Phillips also announced new roles for three executives who will report to Lashier.
