-The House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies passed a bill to reauthorize CFATS for three years. Additionally, a Senate panel voted in favor of chemical spill prevention legislation that would give states greater oversight of aboveground chemical storage facilities. The Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act was written in response to a January chemical spill that originated at Freedom Industries’ Elk River facility in West Virginia.
-Suncor Energy has wrapped up planned maintenance at its 98,000-barrels-per-day refinery in Commerce City, Colo.
-Murphy Oil may shut down its Milford Haven refinery in Wales, UK, after negotiations to sell it to a private equity firm broke down. It was announced last month that Murphy was in talks to sell the struggling refinery to Greybull Capital. Via Reuters, Murphy said it is possible the refinery could be converted into a storage terminal instead of being mothballed.
-Meanwhile, Switzerland-based Weatherford International is moving to Ireland, pending an upcoming shareholder vote. The company’s board of directors approved changing the firm’s legal domicile after the Swiss government passed a law giving more power to shareholders over executive and board member pay.
-E&P firm SM Energy announced the retirement of CEO Anthony J. Best. The company’s board is planning to appoint President and COO Javan D. Ottoson as Best’s replacement. Best, who has served as CEO since December 2006, will step down within the next 12 months.
