Processing news briefs, Apr. 27

April 27, 2001
Westcoast Energy ... Saudi Aramco ... Snamprogetti ... BP ... Eastman Chemical


Canada's National Energy Board said it will not permit Westcoast Energy Inc. to reopen its Pine River gas plant sulfur pipeline and processing plant until regulators are satisfied certain safety issues have been fully addressed, or a plan is in place to address those issues. The Board ordered Westcoast to stop all work Mar. 16.

Saudi Aramco has awarded Snamprogetti, a unit of ENI SPA, a turnkey contract for a unit at its 300,000 b/d Ras Tanura refinery. The 200,000 b/d unit will produce naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosine, and light and heavy diesel. Work will take 24 months.

BP PLC and Eastman Chemical Co. have agreed to jointly market and license Eastman's proprietary Energx polyethylene technology. BP will have right to use the technology and to market and license it to other gas-phase producers. The companies will share the income.