Shell Chemical LP is studying land near Monaca, Penn., for the petrochemical complex it is considering to use ethane from natural gas produced from the Marcellus shale (OGJ Online, June 6, 2011).

Total SA has signed a memorandum of understanding with two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. to participate in a refining and petrochemical complex planned in Zhanjiang, China, in partnership with China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec; OGJ Online, Aug. 11, 2009).

State-owned Petronas has let a front-end engineering design contract to Technip for its proposed refinery and petrochemical project at Pengerang in Johor, Malaysia (OGJ Online, May 13, 2011).

The refining and petrochemical industries benefit the US, and their representatives must rebuke misleading criticisms from politicians so that the general public hears the facts, leaders of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (formerly the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association) said Mar. 12 during an opening session of the AFPM annual meeting in San Diego.

Methanex Corp. has let a contract to Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. to provide engineering services in the possible relocation of a methanol plant from Chile to Geismar, La.

ExxonMobil Corp. and TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK have entered into an agreement valued at $3.9 billion that will result in the restructuring of ExxonMobil’s holdings in Japan.

Samsung Total Petrochemicals is building aromatics and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer units at its Daesan petrochemical complex in Chungnam Province, South Korea.

Essar Oil Ltd. has commissioned a large amine regeneration unit in the first phase of expansion of its 300,000 b/d Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, India, after commissioning a pentane-hexane isomerization unit last month (OGJ Online, Dec. 12, 2011).

Total, through its 100% affiliate PetroFina SA, has agreed to acquire the 35% interest held by ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA in Fina Antwerp Olefins.

Saudi Arabia’s refining capacity will reach 3.5 million b/d and its production of natural gas will hit 15 bcfd by 2016, according to a senior official.

Qatar Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell PLC have signed a heads of agreement that “sets scope and commercial principles” to develop a petrochemicals complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City. The HOA follows the conclusion of a joint feasibility study by the two companies.