BP played an important role in the achievements of Azerbaijan's oil and gas sector

(Socar) -- On September 28, SOCAR President Mr. Rovnag Abdullayev met with Mr. Charles Hendry, UK Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change. Welcoming the guests, Mr. Abdullayev spoke about the role of oil and gas industry in the development of the country. He said that foreign oil majors, including BP, had played an important role in the achievements of Azerbaijan's oil and gas sector in recent years. He noted with approval the experience of beneficial cooperation between SOCAR and BP on the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Shahdeniz, and Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan projects. The companies represented in the British delegation expressed interest in the projects in the Azerbaijani energy sector. The participants heard about preparations to build the new oil and gas refinery and petrochemicals complex and about major ecological projects carried out by SOCAR. SOCAR President said that Azerbaijan was open to foreign investment and carefully considered cooperation proposals from all companies.


MRC

South American BOPP and CPP film supplier to enter the North American market

(Plastics Today) -- South American BOPP and CPP film manufacturer Opp Film, SA, a subsidiary of Oben Holding Group, announced that it will immediately begin supply of its bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and cast polypropylene (CPP) films to firms in Mexico, Canada and the United States. The company recently established a North American distribution and technical support subsidiary in Houston to facilitate Opp's move into the North American market. Under the name Packfilm North America Inc., the division will be headed by Steve Brandt, a 30-year industry veteran, who serves as president. Diana Hidalgo Durand is VP sales and logistics.


MRC

Russian converters increased polymer consumption volumes

(MRC) -- In August, Russian converters increased consumption of all high-bulk polymers. Following the official data, over the eight months, the production of plastic products in Russia have grown by 16.3%, according to MRC ScanPlast.


In August, according to official Rosstat's data, total production of polymers in primary forms in Russia made 439 KT, that was by 3% down, compared to July. In general, over the eight months, total production of primary-form polymers grew by 8.9% year on year. Also production of primary-form polymers of ethylene increased by 5.3%, primary-form polymers of styrene - by 15.6%, primary-form polymers of propylene and other primary-form olefins - by 12.4%, which resulted from increased output of Tomskneftechem Ltd, Gazprom neftechem Salavat JSC, Ufaorgsyntez JSC, Nizhneskamskneftechem JSC, Petrochemicals RPE Ltd, Stavrolen Ltd, Polystyrene Ltd on the back of grown demand for plastic products.


Export primary-form polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride), excluding shipments to the Common Customs Union, made more than 251 KT, that was less by 20% year on year. The main decrease in exports fell at polyethylene. Imports of primary-form polymers, by contrast, grew to 1075 KT, that by 36% up year on year. The largest imports increase was seen in primary-form polymers of vinyl chloride and ethylene. This year the import of these high bulk polymers has increased by 44% and 32% respectively.



According to official data, the production of plastic products in January-August grew by 16.3% year on year. Following the August results, the total volume of pipes, hoses and fittings made 53.8 KT. In general, over the eight months, production volume of these products grew by one third. Last month production volume of polymer sheets made 14.3 KT. Following January - August results, it increased by 17%. The production of windows, window frames and polymer sills in August made 234 mln m2, the production gain at the year-end made 15.4%.


MRC

The blaze at Shell's refinery at Bukom Island in Singapore is ongoing

(ICIS) -- The ongoing blaze at Shell's refinery at Bukom Island in Singapore surged at midday on Thursday as explosions were heard at the site, but the fire is contained within a specific area. ⌠The source of the fire is remnant light fuel components within the specific area where the fire originated. The smoke observed is from hydrocarbons that are not fully combusted, Shell said.


The fire, which has been raging at Shell's Bukom manufacturing site since Wednesday afternoon, involves petroleum products from pipes in the tank farm at the manufacturing facility at Bukom, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).


The SCDF said that fire fighting operations are still ongoing at the site, adding that two of its fire engines deployed at the site have been badly damaged. Water jets were being used to carry out cooling operations at the Bukom site, it said.


Shell had shut some of the production facilities located in Bukom, including a hydrocracking unit that makes diesel, as a safety precaution. The company's integrated complex at Bukom has a crude distillation capacity of 500,000 bbl/day. It is Shell's largest refinery in the world in terms of crude distillation capacity. Two of the three CDUs at the site have been shut down, according to market sources.


MRC

New POM plant in Frankfurt is officially inaugurated

(Plasteurope) -- After dispelling rumours about alleged delays in the start-up of its new and improved 140,000 t/y polyoxymethylene (POM) plant in the Industrial Park Hochst, in Frankfurt (Germany). The cornerstone for the plant - which Ticona says is the world's largest POM facility - was first laid in 2008. The faciliy was moved from its erstwhile location following the expansion of Frankfurt airport.


MRC