Cargill and BASF Plant Science to co-develop a new dietary source of EPA/DHA

(BASF) -- Cargill and BASF Plant Science today announced an agreement to co-develop a new dietary source of EPA/DHA that will make it easier for consumers globally to achieve optimal intakes of EPA- and DHA-rich omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This next generation canola oil containing EPA/DHA will enable food, pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement manufacturers to deliver the potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in a wide variety of new, cost-effective consumer products available by the end of the decade.


Although research is ongoing, a growing body of scientific evidence links dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids with benefits for heart and brain health. However, humans on average are currently not consuming enough of these healthy fatty acids. In fact, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) EPA/DHA consumption in the United States is less than 185 mg per day. Health experts in various countries recommend intake of 250-500 mg per day for positive health benefits from EPA/DHA.


MRC

Petkim net income totaled $81.7 mln in January-September this year

(Trend) -- Net income of the Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim totaled $81.7 mln in January-September this year, or 51 percent more than the same period of last year, SOCAR said on Tuesday. SOCAR has equity participation there. "During this period, the company's sale volumes exceeded 1.3 million tons, or 8 percent more than the same period of last year," a statement said.


The total cost of goods exported for the nine months amounted to $634 million, or 73 percent more than in January-September 2010. The investment program worth $ 63 million was implemented to improve technical services and production in January-September.


The alliance between SOCAR and Turcas Petrol /Injaz projects resulted in them winning a tender in 2008 to buy a 51 per cent stake in various chemical projects worth $2.04 billion. Now Turkey imports 70 to 75 per cent of its chemical products. Investments in the development of Petkim will reduce that figure by 30 per cent.


The Petkim Petrokimya Holding manufactures plastic packaging, fabric, PVC and detergents. It is the only Turkish producer of such products and exports a quarter of its production.


MRC

TNK-BP bought a 45% stake in an oil and gas deposit in Brazil

(RIA Novosti) -- Russian-British oil joint venture TNK-BP has bought a 45 percent stake in an oil and gas deposit in Brazil from local firm HRT O&G for an undisclosed sum, TNK-BP said in a statement on Monday. "TNK-Brasil, a 100 percent subsidiary of TNK-BP Group, announced today that it has signed a farm-in agreement and a joint operating agreement with the Brazilian company HRT O&G. Through the deal TNK-Brasil will acquire a 45 percent stake in the Solimoes Basin project in Brazil," the firm said.


The 21 oil and gas exploration blocks covering an area of about 48,500 square kilometers are located in the Amazon's Solimoes basin.


"According to a Degolyer & MacNaughton reserves audit report, the blocks bring TNK-BP a net prospective and contingent resource of 789 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOEs). These include 11 discoveries where oil and gas were tested. Initial production from the fields in the Solimoes basin is expected in 2012," the firm said.


The project will give TNK-BP access to significant new resources in one of the world's fastest growing markets, TNK-BP said.


MRC

INEOS is making hefty cutbacks on PE production in Europe

(ICIS) -- Major polyethylene (PE) producer INEOS is making hefty cutbacks on PE production in Europe for the remainder of 2011, company sources said on Wednesday. ⌠We will be running all low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) assets at minimum rates, said one source, estimating the average run rate of both PE grades at 50% of capacity.


Another INEOS company source, referring to the high density polyethylene (HDPE) sector where film grade demand has declined, said: ⌠We will be cutting production to meet the reality of demand.
Non-film HDPE grades, however, have not seen the drop in demand witnessed in the LDPE and LLDPE sectors.


Switzerland-headquartered INEOS has HDPE production in Europe amounting to around 1m tonnes, or 15-18% of installed capacity, with sites in Belgium, France and Italy. Its LDPE production is in Norway and Germany, and its LLDPE production is in the UK and Germany.


PE demand is well down on 2010, with some sources estimating volumes to be down well into double digits, and production throughout Europe is now being cut on a widespread basis. Dow announced that it was making hefty cutbacks in PE for the rest of 2011, and Borealis is running crackers at a technical minimum to accommodate weak demand.


MRC

Lamprell was awarded two new construction contracts by Nexen Petroleum

(Arabian oil and gas) -- Lamprell has announced it has been awarded two new construction contracts by Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited in relation to the Golden Eagle Development in the UK North Sea, with a total contract value in excess of $200 million.


The first contract comprises a two level Wellhead (W) Deck, measuring approximately 50 metres by 50 metres and weighing approximately 4,000 tonnes. The W Deck will be constructed at Lamprell's Jebel Ali yard, and is scheduled for completion in Q2 2013.


The second contract is for a three level Production, Utilities and Quarters (PUQ) Deck, measuring 85 metres by 40 metres, and weighing approximately 10,000 tonnes. The PUQ Deck will also be constructed at Lamprell's Jebel Ali facility and is scheduled for completion in Q2 2014.


MRC