-Shell began production from the Mars B development at its giant Olympus platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The company said in a statement the expansion could extend the life of the greater Mars basin to the latter half of this century. Olympus is Shell’s largest floating deepwater platform in the gulf.
-The EPA finalized a new rule that changes reporting requirements for refiners and chemical processors using CSA-RED (complex strontium, rare earth doped) substances. Companies using those chemicals will be required to notify the EPA 90 days in advance.
-Duke Energy reported Monday that as much as 82,000 tons of coal ash and up to 27 million gallons of water were spilled from a pond at its retired power plant in Eden, N.C. Via the Charlotte Observer, the company said a stormwater pipe beneath the pond broke, releasing the ash and water into the Dan River.
-Marathon Petroleum Corp. agreed to buy a 4,100-barrel-per-day biodiesel facility in Cincinnati from a Malaysia-based firm. The biodiesel plant is a good geographical fit for Marathon’s portfolio, which includes refining assets in Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio.
-Noble Corp. selected former Seahawk Drilling CEO and President Randy Stilley to lead Paragon Offshore — Noble’s newly spun off standard specification offshore drilling company. Stilley is a 38-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, having served in the top posts at Pride International and Hercules Offshore.
