-Axiall on Monday said its fire-damaged Lake Charles, La., PHH vinyl chloride monomer unit had been repaired and was operational. The company expects the unit, which had been idle since a Dec. 20 fire, to reach full operating capacity next month.
-Pemex will boost crude processing volumes at its six Mexico refineries to five-year highs in 2014. Via Reuters, maintenance work will peak in the fall, with two major turnarounds set for October and November.
-Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. awarded Antero Resources 100% of the capacity offered in an open season for two pipeline expansions. The project, which will expand pipeline service in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, is expected to cost approximately $782 million.
-Daily crude oil production in Texas hit its highest level since 1980, the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers announced this week. Via FuelFix, February crude production in Texas was up 22.4% over the same period in 2013.
-Independent E&P firm Noble Energy announced Chairman and CEO Charles D. Davidson would retire next year. Noble’s board plans to appoint President and COO Dave Stover to replace Davidson, who has served as chief executive and chairman since 2000. Stover is a 12-year veteran of Noble who previously worked at BP America, Vastar Resources and Atlantic Richfield.