Washington-based bio-jet-fuel project developer AltAir Fuels is teaming-up with technology provider UOP, oil refiner Tesoro and 14 airlines in a scheme aiming to produce some 750 million gallons of Camelina-based renewable jet fuel and diesel.

The doubling of LPG storage capacity at a Petrobras refinery will require additional power supply. Temporary power generators will be supplied by Aggreko.

According to a new study led by Stanford University researchers and funded by NASA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, ethanol would likely cause more ozone-related health problems than gasoline when burned in a vehicle, especially in winter.

Representatives with Targa Resources Partners announce plans to expand their natural gas liquids production capacity at Mont Belvieu, Texas, through an expansion at the company’s Cedar Bayou fractionation facility. The project is expected to be supported by a long-term, firm space fractionation agreement with ONEOK Partners LP.

Eleven governors in the U.S. Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region on Dec. 30 signed a memo of understanding obligating them to develop a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) scheme by 2011, mostly following in the footsteps of LCFS pioneer, California.

Spectra Energy secured supply agreements from Chesapeake Energy, Statoil and Con Edison for its proposed pipeline expansions in New Jersey and New York. These expansions will increase natural gas capacity into the areas.

Petrobras officials announced Dec. 22 that their wholly-owned subsidiary, Petrobras Biocombustível S.A, just invested R$150 million (US$84 million) in ethanol producer Total Agroindústria Canavieira S.A.

The Bangkok Post reported Jan 1 that Thailand’s Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul said the Thai government has set a goal to increase ethanol content in motor fuels.

Hyundai Motor Co. officials announced this week they’re aiming to boost global sales 16% this year, to 5.4 million units including sales through the Kia subsidiary.

A coal gasification-to-chemicals project by Beijing Aerospace Wanyuan Coal Chemical Engineering Technology Co. is now under construction with production expected in 2011, according to a report from China Knowledge.

Bosch officials announced Jan. 4 that they’ll invest some US$423 million in Indian operations between 2010 to 2012, mostly focused on diesel engine systems.

Australia-based Linc Energy officials announced in December they’ve signed a deal with U.K.-based fuel cell technology developer AFC Energy Plc and its related company, B9 Coal.

Improvements to Chennai Petroleum Corp.’s Manali refinery will result in expanded capacity of products capable of meeting Euro-IV specifications. The current crude distillate unit will be expanded and a new diesel hydrotreater and isomerization unit will be started up in 2010.

Naphtha-based steam cracker project recently announced by HG Summit Holdings Inc. will produce 320,000 t/y of ethylene. The facility will be located upstream from existing PP and PE assets in Batangas City in The Philippines.

Repsol’s Cartagena, Spain refinery is installing a power/steam cogeneration plant that can enable reduction in the plant’s net carbon dioxide “greenhouse” footprint.

Bosch officials announced Jan. 4 that they’ll invest some US$423 million in Indian operations between 2010 to 2012, mostly focused on diesel engine systems.

BTL demonstration plant starting up in early 2010 will be operated on wood chips. According to Oxford Catalysts, one of the project’s most important objectives is to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness for synthetic jet fuel production.

Greek refinery plans to improve reliability and efficiency with an integrated power and automation system. Hellenic Petroleum’s Elefsina refinery plans to finish the project in 2010 with the help of ABB Automation.

While Shell executives have denied reports the company plans to pull out of Africa, it has not ruled out that it is reviewing its downstream business in Africa as part of its global strategy, according to PetrolWorld (Ireland).

Bulgaria’s only refinery is being upgraded to produce Euro-5 motor fuels. The Lukoil investment in the Bulgarian Burgas refinery includes a hydrocracker and two desulfurization units.

In its 2009 year-end assessment and 2010 expectations report, Tupras, Turkey's oil refiner, expects sales of more than US$15 billion in 2010 as global demand for petroleum products rises, Chief Executive Yavuz Erkut said on Dec. 28 and reported by Reuters.