Canadian greenwashing bill passes

: Crude oil, Emissions, Pipe and tube
24/06/20

A proponent of a major carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Canada removed most information from its website this week after a federal bill targeting "greenwashing" successfully made its way through Parliament.

The Pathways Alliance, a group of six oil sands producers, removed material from its website in response to Bill C-59 after it passed its third and final reading in Canada's senate on 19 June, citing "uncertainty on how the new law will be interpreted and applied."

Parts of the soon-to-be law will "create significant uncertainty for Canadian companies," according to a statement by Pathways which is the proponent of a massive C$16.5bn ($12bn) CCS project in Alberta's oil sands region.

The Pathways companies proposed using the project and a host of other technologies to cut CO2 emissions by 10mn-22mn t/yr by 2030. Project details and projections are now gone from the Pathways website, social media and other public communications as the pending law will require companies to show proof when making representations about protecting, restoring or mitigating environmental, social and ecological causes or effects of climate change.

Any claim "that is not based on adequate and proper substantiation in accordance with internationally recognized methodology" could result in penalties under the pending law.

Offenders may face a maximum penalty of C$10mn for the first offense while subsequent offenses would be as much as C$15mn, or "triple the value of the benefit derived from the anti-competitive practice."

Invite to 'resource-draining complaints'

The bill does not single out oil and gas companies, but the industry includes the country's largest emitters and has long been in the cross-hairs of the liberal government. Alberta's premier Danielle Smith says the pending bill will have the unintended effect by stifling "many billions in investments in emissions technologies — the very technologies the world needs."

Construction of the Pathways project is expected to begin as early as the fourth quarter 2025 with operations starting in 2029 or 2030.

The main CO2 transportation pipeline will be 24-36-inches in diameter and stretch about 400km (249 miles). It will initially tap into 13 oil sands facilities from north of Fort McMurray to the Cold Lake region, where the CO2 will be stored underground.

Pathways includes Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus, Suncor, Imperial Oil, ConocoPhillips Canada and MEG Energy, which account for about 95pc of the province's roughly 3.3mn b/d of oil sands production.

Some producers took down content as did industry lobby group the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), which highlighted the "significant" risk the legislation creates.

"Buried deep into an omnibus bill and added at a late stage of committee review, these amendments have been put forward without consultation, clarity on guidelines, or the standards that must be met to achieve compliance," said CAPP president Lisa Baiton on Thursday. This "opens the floodgates for frivolous, resource-draining complaints."

By Brett Holmes

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24/10/11

Feds probing fatal Pemex Deer Park accident

Houston, 11 October (Argus) — The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are both launching independent investigations into this week's fatal accident at Pemex's 312,500 b/d Deer Park, Texas, refinery. A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release that killed two workers and injured dozens more occurred on Thursday evening at the plant located near Houston. It also led to shelter-in-place orders for surrounding communities, which have since been lifted. The CSB will investigate the causes of the fatal release, the agency said Friday. The CSB is responsible for investigating industrial accidents in the US, such as the deadly 2022 explosion at BP's Toledo refinery in Ohio and a probe into operations at Marathon's Martinez renewable diesel plant after several fires earlier this year . A representative for CSB was not immediately available for comment. OSHA — charged with enforcing compliance with federal workplace safety laws — is also investigating the incident, and has "up to six months" to complete the investigation, according to an OSHA representative. OSHA would not stop company operations during the duration of the investigation, but "could not speak for other agencies at the site," an OSHA official told Argus. The Harris County Sheriff's department has also opened an investigation into the incident. The release occurred as workers began planned maintenance on a unit. An H2S leak was detected, resulting in several units being shut down as staff sought to secure the leak. The Deer Park refinery had previously been damaged in a February 2023 fire, resulting in two weeks of repairs. A slew of accidents at Deer Park and several other Mexican state-owned Pemex's refineries in part led Fitch Ratings to downgrade Pemex's credit rating in July 2023 . By Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Opec+ cuts hit 4mn b/d

24/10/11

Opec+ cuts hit 4mn b/d

London, 11 October (Argus) — Opec+ has reduced its crude production by 4mn b/d since it started cutting output almost two years ago, Argus' latest output survey shows. Crude output by members subject to cuts fell by 220,000 b/d in September to 33.52mn b/d, driven by reductions in Iraq and Nigeria (see table). This compares with 37.52mn b/d in October 2022, when the alliance announced what would prove to be the in a series of production cuts. September output was not only the lowest since April 2021, but also 330,000 b/d below the group's collective production target. But even with the removal of such a vast amount of crude from the market, oil prices remain $11-15/bl below where they were when Opec+ announced its October 2022 cut. This is partly because production from non-Opec members such as the US, Guyana and Brazil has surged. The US alone has boosted production by 830,000 b/d over the past two years. The lower prices are also partly down to lower-than-expected oil demand, particularly in China. The IEA has made and sees global oil demand growing by under 1mn b/d this year and next, well below the 2.1mn b/d increase seen in 2023. Despite the gloomy demand picture, eight Opec+ members are scheduled to start unwinding 2.2mn b/d of production cuts from December — two months later than initially planned. This is not a foregone conclusion — the group has said this could change depending on market conditions — but a decision to push ahead would only widen an expected supply surplus next year. The eight members are expected to decide on whether to start returning production in early November. Opec+ will be keenly watching how the conflict between Israel and Iran plays out over the coming days and weeks. Rising tensions propelled Atlantic basin benchmark North Sea Dated above $81/bl on 7 October. There are fears that Israel could strike Iran's oil infrastructure in retaliation for . This would put Iranian production — which rose to 3.37mn b/d in September — at risk. Any attack on Iran's oil sector could conceivably see Tehran disrupt regional oil flows through the strait of Hormuz , through which more than 15mn b/d of crude and products are exported. Compensation questions Another factor that could influence Opec+ policy in the coming weeks is the extent to which serial overproducers Iraq, Kazakhstan and Russia can show they are for exceeding their targets. In an effort to start complying with its commitments, Iraq reduced its production by 130,000 b/d in September, Argus estimates. But this was still 70,000 b/d above its Opec+ target of 4mn b/d, and 170,000 b/d above its effective target in September under its compensation plan. Kazakhstan's output rose by 40,000 b/d to 1.48mn b/d in September, 10,000 b/d above its Opec+ quota and 40,000 b/d above the effective target in its compensation plan. All eyes are now on the country's October output, when it is due to deliver the largest chunk of its compensation commitment, which has been designed to coincide with maintenance at its Kashagan field . Russia's production edged down by 10,000 b/d to 8.97mn b/d, in line with its target. Libya's output fell by a hefty 370,000 b/d to 550,000 b/d in September as an oil blockade declared in late August took its toll. But with the blockade lifted in early October, production has already returned close to the country's normal level of about 1.2mn b/d. Venezuela's production rose by 20,000 b/d to 900,000 b/d — the highest since February 2019. Both Venezuela and Libya are exempt from production targets. Opec+ crude production mn b/d Sep Aug* Target† ± target Opec 9 21.18 21.45 21.23 -0.05 Non-Opec 9 12.34 12.29 12.62 -0.28 Total 33.52 33.74 33.85 -0.33 *revised †includes additional cuts where applicable Opec wellhead production mn b/d Sep Aug* Target† ± target Saudi Arabia 8.92 8.96 8.98 -0.06 Iraq 4.07 4.20 4.00 +0.07 Kuwait 2.46 2.40 2.41 +0.05 UAE 2.95 2.98 2.91 +0.04 Algeria 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.00 Nigeria 1.36 1.45 1.50 -0.14 Congo (Brazzaville) 0.24 0.26 0.28 -0.04 Gabon 0.21 0.23 0.17 +0.04 Equatorial Guinea 0.06 0.06 0.07 -0.01 Opec 9 21.18 21.45 21.23 -0.05 Iran 3.37 3.33 na na Libya 0.55 0.92 na na Venezuela 0.90 0.88 na na Total Opec 12^ 26.00 26.58 na na *revised †includes additional cuts where applicable ^Iran, Libya and Venezuela are exempt from production targets Non-Opec crude production mn b/d Sep Aug* Target† ± target Russia 8.97 8.98 8.98 -0.01 Oman 0.76 0.76 0.76 +0.00 Azerbaijan 0.49 0.48 0.55 -0.06 Kazakhstan 1.48 1.44 1.47 +0.01 Malaysia 0.32 0.31 0.40 -0.08 Bahrain 0.16 0.15 0.20 -0.04 Brunei 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.01 Sudan 0.02 0.02 0.06 -0.04 South Sudan 0.05 0.06 0.12 -0.07 Total non-Opec 12.34 12.29 12.62 -0.28 *revised †includes additional cuts where applicable Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Pemex Deer Park refinery H2S leak kills 2: Update

24/10/11

Pemex Deer Park refinery H2S leak kills 2: Update

Adds comment from Mexican energy minister, context from regulatory filings. Houston, 11 October (Argus) — A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) leak at Pemex's 312,500 b/d Deer Park, Texas, refinery on 10 October killed two workers and injured 35 more. The leak occurred accidentally during maintenance, according to a regulatory filing submitted by Pemex this morning. Several units, including an amine unit, an alkylation unit, a hydrocracker and a sulphur recovery unit were promptly shut and flaring was initiated so the leak could secured. Mexican energy minister Luz Elena Gonzalez said in a press conference in Mexico City Friday morning that the refinery was expected to restart operations later today. Deadly accidents at US refineries usually require extensive regulatory investigations by federal agencies, however, which require facilities or certain units at a plant to remain shut down. H2S is an extremely hazardous gas commonly produced as a byproduct of refining, which can be processed into pure sulphur in a sulphur recovery unit (SRU) or removed by hydrotreating. Shell's Deer Park petrochemical facility, located adjacent to Pemex's refinery, said it was doing a "controlled slowdown" of its operations as of 8:52pm yesterday in response to the accident as a precaution. A flaring event was initially reported by a Deer Park Office of Emergency Management (OEM) social media account at 6:23pm ET on 10 October. A shelter in place advisory was issued for all Deer Park residents in a follow-up notice and Texas State Highway 225 running adjacent to the refinery was also closed to traffic. Areas of nearby Pasadena were also placed under a shelter in place advisory. The Deer Park shelter in place was lifted at 10pm ET. The Pemex refinery had previously reported an aromatic concentration unit (ACU) leak on 6 October. Amine units strip H2S from methane gas generated by hydrotreaters. Alkylation units produce high-octane blendstocks used in gasoline. Hydrocrackers use hydrogen, pressure, and catalyst to produce distillates and gasoline low in contaminants like sulphur. SRUs help to remove sulphur and other impurities from refinery products and gas streams. By Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Iran slows oil exports as it braces for Israeli attack

24/10/11

Iran slows oil exports as it braces for Israeli attack

Dubai, 11 October (Argus) — Iran's crude exports have slowed down dramatically this month as the country braces for a possible strike on its oil facilities in retaliation for its large-scale missile attack against Israel on 1 October. Although US president Joe Biden has suggested Israel should think about an alternative response , potential strikes on Iranian oil facilities have been up for discussion and the Israeli government appears to be still weighing up its options. In the meantime, there has been a noticeable drop off in Iranian exports. Crude loadings from Iran only averaged about 600,000 b/d in the first 10 days of October, around a third of the amount it has exported in the past few months, according to Armen Azizian, senior oil risk analyst at trade analytics firm Vortexa. "The first 10 days has been very slow compared to what we usually see," Azizian said. "Normally, over this period, we see an average of 5-8 tankers load ꟷ a mix of VLCCs and Suezmaxes. But so far, we have only seen just 3-4 load." A VLCC typically carries 1.9mn-2.2mn bl, while a Suezmax can carry 800,000-1mn bl. Of the three VLCCs that have loaded this month, two did so at Iran's Kharg Island terminal in the Mideast Gulf and the third co-loaded between Kharg Island and the Soroush terminal, also in the Mideast Gulf. An Aframax also loaded at Kharg this month but it is a tanker that typically engages in domestic trade. The Kharg terminal is Iran's largest and most important by some distance, handling more than 90pc of Iranian crude and condensate exports. All of the vessels that have loaded at Iranian terminals this month have been sanctioned. "It seems like the operators of the non-sanctioned tankers are being more cautious," Azizan said. "The thinking being that the value of the sanctioned tankers is so low anyway, that they are more worth taking a risk with." The slowdown in exports coincides with Iran moving many of its empty tankers away from Kharg Island. "It was likely done as a precaution, in the event of an Israeli retaliation," said Homayoun Falakshahi, senior oil analyst at trade analytics firm Kpler. Iran's crude exports have been rising in recent years, notably since the start of 2023. Vortexa puts them s at 1.7mn b/d in July-September, while Kpler's estimate is slightly higher at 1.75mn b/d. September was a particularly strong month — 1.83mn b/d according to Kpler and 1.75mn b/d according to Vortexa. Kpler's September estimate is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2018 and Vortexa's is just 50,000 b/d short of a six-year high of 1.8mn b/d in June. This month's exports will be much lower. Even if Iran's loading activities were to return to normal for the rest of October, it would struggle to breach the 1.35mn b/d mark for the full month, a level it has surpassed consistently since the fourth quarter of last year. By Nader Itayim Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japanese firms eye developing CCS project in Alaska

24/10/11

Japanese firms eye developing CCS project in Alaska

Tokyo, 11 October (Argus) — Two Japanese firms are looking to develop a carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain between Japan and US' Alaska state to help achieve Japan's 2050 decarbonisation goal. Japanese trading house Sumitomo and Japanese shipping firm Kline today reached a deal to sign a joint research agreement with US independent Hilcorp, for a strategic partnership to capture CO2 in Japan and transport it on a large liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier to storage and injection facilities in Alaska. Oil and gas fields have been developed in Alaska since the 1950s and the total storage capacity of the CCS project is expected to be 50 gigatonnes, equivalent to 50 years' worth of Japan's CO2 emissions, Sumitomo said. The world's first LCO2 transportation for CCS is scheduled to start next year ahead of this project, Kline said. Japanese companies are gearing up efforts to seek overseas storage sites for CO2, as domestic storage sites would be insufficient to store all of the country's possible emissions. Tokyo aims to add 6mn-12mn t/yr of CO2 storage capacity domestically and internationally from 2030, with a target of 120mn-240mn t/yr by 2050. The government has projected that Japan will be able to store up to 70pc of its forecasted CO2 emissions of approximately 240mn t/yr in 2050. Japan's parliament in May allowed the government to ratify the 2009 amendment to the International Maritime Organization's London Protocol that will enable the export of CO2. By Reina Maeda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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