Aramco, Dow Petrochemical JV Secures $10.5 Bln Bank Facilities
(Monday, June 17, 2013) The $19.3 billion petrochemical joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical has signed loan facilities worth $10.5 billion for its Jubail chemical plant.

Israel Looks 'Down Under' for LNG Export Expertise
(Monday, June 17, 2013) The expertise of Australian energy firms in hydrocarbon development could be of tremendous value to Israeli firms as they move forward with natural gas exploration - particularly with export mechanisms, experts from both countries agreed June 12.

Qatar Exports First Shipment of GTL Jet Fuel
(Thursday, June 13, 2013) Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (Tasweeq) and Pearl (Gas to Liquid) GTL announced Wednesday the first export cargo of GTL blended Jet Fuel from Ras Laffan, produced from the world's largest gas-to-liquids plant.

Qatar To Give Egypt 5 Free LNG Cargoes This Summer - Egyptian Ministry
(Monday, June 10, 2013) Cash-strapped Egypt got a reprieve from worsening energy shortages Monday.

VOA: Turkish Company Supplies Diesel to Syria
(Wednesday, June 05, 2013) Turkey has become an unlikely new source of vital diesel for the Syrian government, according to shipping documents and sources.

Technip Wins Iraq Refinery Contract
(Tuesday, June 04, 2013) Iraq's Ministry of Oil has awarded Technip a significant contract for project management consultancy services for the engineering, procurement and construction phase of the Karbala refinery.

China Reaps Benefits of Iraq Oil Boom
(Tuesday, June 04, 2013) Since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003, Iraq has become one of the world's top oil producers, and China is now its biggest customer.

EBRD Plans to Lend $150MM for Turkey Refinery Project
(Tuesday, June 04, 2013) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is planning to allocate a $150-million senior secured loan to the company STAR Rafineri A.S. to construct a greenfield refinery in Turkey, the bank reported on its website.

COMMENTARY: Mideast Nuclear Energy Boom Masks Potential Conflicts
(Monday, June 03, 2013) The location is uninspiring: the sand dunes of Barakah in Abu Dhabi, on the western tip of the Arabian desert. Yet the political vision is breathtaking.

U.S. Announces Iran-Related Sanctions, Including Petrochemical Industry
(Monday, June 03, 2013) The U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran's petrochemical industry, vowing to target more of the Islamic regime's sources of revenue after curbing its vital oil exports.

Gulf States Broaden Alternative Energy Plans
(Thursday, May 30, 2013) Soaring demand for electricity and a growing shortage of natural gas have led governments to rethink their energy strategy and incorporate solar power in particular into their plans.

Egyptian Contractor Secures Petro Rabigh Contract
(Wednesday, May 29, 2013) Mohamed Al-Shimi, President of the Board of Directors for PetroJet, stated that the company recently won a bid to construct the second stage of Petro Rabigh's petrochemical lines in Saudi Arabia, after securing $80m in investments.

UAE Official: Current World Oil Prices Are 'Fair and Suitable'
(Wednesday, May 29, 2013) UAE Minister of Energy, Suhail Al Mazrouie, said that current world oil prices were "fair and suitable" and the recent drop in prices were a short-term phenomenon and have nothing to do with market fundamentals.

Technip Wins Contract for Abu Dhabi Coker Project
(Tuesday, May 28, 2013) Technip was awarded a significant contract comprising technology, engineering services and supply of core equipment for Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company -- Takreer's new coke calcination unit.

Orpic Plans to Select Tech Provider for $3.6B Sohar Project
(Tuesday, May 28, 2013) Oman Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) is planning to start work on the front engine engineering design (FEED) and selection of a technology provider for its $3.6 billion integrated Sohar plastics project before the end of 2013.

UAE Oil Minister: Oil Prices Fair, No Threat to Global Economy
(Monday, May 27, 2013) Crude oil prices are at a fair level and aren't posing a risk to the global economy, UAE's new energy minister said, signaling a consensus among OPEC members over prices.

SOCAR Signs Turkey Refinery Deal
(Friday, May 24, 2013) A subsidiary of Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR has signed an agreement with a consortium that intends to build the Star refinery worth $4 billion in Turkey for Petkim petrochemical complex, which is co-owned by SOCAR, Petkim said.

Iraq's Trade Bank to Participate in Building $12B Jordan Pipeline
(Wednesday, May 22, 2013) State-run Trade Bank of Iraq will participate in building the country's first oil export pipeline in decades, which will make the country less dependent on Persian Gulf export terminals, its president and chairman said Wednesday.

Shake Up Among Kuwaiti Oil Executives
(Monday, May 20, 2013) Kuwait Petroleum stated that the reshuffle wasn't linked to the crisis over the controversial payment of a $2.2 billion penalty to Dow Chemical for scrapping a joint venture in December 2008.

Oman Forced to Import Fuels after Refinery Shutdown
(Thursday, May 16, 2013) Oman, a crude oil exporter, started importing refined fuels earlier this year, the head of Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (ORPIC) said, after a two-month shutdown of its biggest refinery.