Venezuela Became Net Gasoline Importer in 2012
(Thursday, May 16, 2013) Venezuela in 2012 became a net importer of gasoline as a result of escalating problems at its refineries and increasing demand for fuel in its internal market.

Brazil Petrobras: Order Could Halt Construction of Comperj Refinery
(Wednesday, May 15, 2013) Petrobras said late Tuesday that it had been notified of a court order suspending environmental licenses for its Comperj refinery project in Rio de Janeiro state.

Puerto Rico LNG Supply Project Exempt from Prefiling Process
(Tuesday, May 14, 2013) FERC gave EcoEléctrica Inc. the news it wanted to hear: A proposed pipeline project within the company's existing Puerto Rico LNG import terminal does not have to go through a mandatory prefiling review process.

Wison to Supply Components for Venezuela Deep Conversion Project
(Monday, May 13, 2013) Wison Offshore & Marine Ltd., a subsidiary of the Wison Group, announced Monday the award of a contract to supply key modularized components for a major refinery project in Venezuela.

At Least 20 Die in Mexico Tanker Truck Blast
(Thursday, May 09, 2013) A natural gas tanker truck lost control, hit a center divider and exploded on a highway lined by homes in the Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec early Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and injuring nearly three dozen, authorities said.

Peruvian Govt Makes U-Turn on Acquiring Repsol Assets
(Monday, May 06, 2013) The administration of President Ollanta Humala decided to take a u-turn in terms of the acquisition of assets of Spanish energy firm Repsol in the country.

US Gas Exports and the Panama Canal Expansion: Serendipity on Display?
(Wednesday, May 01, 2013) The Panama Canal Authority sees an opportunity with U.S. LNG exports that it did not envision six years ago.

EcoEléctrica Asks FERC to Excuse LNG Expansion from Prefiling
(Tuesday, April 30, 2013) EcoEléctrica LP asked FERC to declare that a proposal to install additional facilities at its LNG terminal in Puerto Rico is not required to follow the commission's otherwise mandatory prefiling procedures for LNG facilities.

Excelerate Proposes LNG Import Facility in Puerto Rico
(Monday, April 29, 2013) In applying for LNG import facilities that would feed a power plant in Puerto Rico, an Excelerate Energy LP subsidiary asked FERC whether a vessel with regasification and storage facilities at an offshore platform falls under commission jurisdiction.

Methanex to Move Another Methanol Plant to Louisiana
(Thursday, April 25, 2013) Methanex will proceed with the relocation of a second 1-mtpa methanol plant from its Chile site to Geismar, La.

Peruvian Govt Confirms Interest in Acquiring Refinery
(Wednesday, April 24, 2013) Peruvian president Ollanta Humala Tuesday met the president of Spanish energy company Repsol, Antonio Brufau, although no details of the meeting have been revealed.

Brazil Reduces Tax on Ethanol, Petrochemical Industry to Boost Output
(Tuesday, April 23, 2013) Brazil will lower taxes on the country's sugarcane and petrochemical industries as the government seeks to boost the competitiveness of its exports as the U.S. expands shale gas production, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Tuesday.

Brazil Seeks Venezuela Refinery Talks After Maduro Victory
(Friday, April 19, 2013) Brazil's federal energy major Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) has revealed plans to resume talks with Venezuela over the Abreu e Lima oil refinery following Nicolás Maduro's presidential election victory.

Fire at Venezuela's Cardon Refinery Controlled - PdVSA
(Thursday, April 18, 2013) A fire overnight at a unit of Venezuela's 300,000-barrel-a-day Cardon refinery is under control and normal operations have been resumed, a spokesman at national energy company Petroleos de Venezuela, or PdVSA, said Wednesday.

U.S. Virgin Islands and Hovensa Agree to Refinery Sale Process
(Tuesday, April 09, 2013) The U.S. Virgin Islands Senate must ratify a deal outlining a sales process that would allow Hovensa to operate as a terminal while it is being marketed.

Argentina YPF Sees Higher Fuel Imports on Refinery Woes
(Tuesday, April 09, 2013) Argentina's state-run oil company YPF SA (YPF, YPFD.BA) expects to buy more imported fuel this year because of damage to its biggest crude oil refinery.

Japan Firms to Study Feasibility of Methanol Plant in Trinidad
(Tuesday, April 09, 2013) The proposed plant would produce 1 million metric tons of methanol and 100,000 tons of dimethyl ether per year in its first phase. The partners expect to reach a final investment decision by next March.