-Dow Chemical is planning a new R&D facility in Lake Jackson, Texas, near its Freeport plant. To be completed in 2016, Dow’s Texas Innovation Center will replace its existing R&D facilities in Freeport, the company said.
-Via Reuters, Valero CEO Bill Klesse said Tuesday the fluid catalytic cracker unit at the company’s Meraux, La., refinery may be shut down earlier than planned. The unit must be mothballed by the end of next year as part of an agreement with regulators. Klesse said it could be shut down as soon as Valero builds a hydrocracker at the facility.
-The Houston Chronicle reports that the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) are pleading for more time on a recent federal mandate requiring testing of all crude to be transported by rail. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, AFPM President Charles Drevna warned that some companies could stop shipping oil by rail if testing is required for every shipment.
-Energy executives in a Wednesday panel discussion agreed that domestic natural gas infrastructure must catch up with supply to help fulfill the potential of productive shale plays. Speaking during the IHS CERAWeek Energy Summit, Statoil official Bill Maloney said North America could supply “far more natural gas” than it does now and keep prices at a reasonable level if midstream capacity matched production.
-German oil and gas storage firm Oiltanking announced today Christian Flach and Julio Tellechea would jointly take over the company’s management. Current Managing Director Carlin Conner is leaving the company March 31 for personal reasons.
