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.

Kurdish Govt to Convert Gas Pipeline for Oil Transport
(Thursday, May 16, 2013) Exports of natural gas from the Kurdish Region of Iraq to Turkey may start from 2015.

Abu Dhabi Will Be Home to New FCC Catalysts Manufacturing Plant
(Wednesday, May 15, 2013) W. R. Grace & Co. and Al Dahra Agriculture have executed a Joint Venture agreement to build the first fluid catalytic cracking /FCC/ catalysts manufacturing facility in the Middle East.

Muntajat: A New Gateway to Qatar's Chemicals
(Wednesday, May 15, 2013) Qatar Chemical and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Co. (Muntajat; Doha) will, by mid-2013, take over the marketing and distribution of all chemicals and petrochemicals produced in Qatar.

In Eastern Syria Oil Smugglers Benefit From Chaos
(Tuesday, May 14, 2013) In Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zor, a network of tribes and smugglers has exploited the chaos of war to create an illicit oil trade that makes European hopes of buying crude from President Bashar al-Assad's opponents a distant prospect.

Turkey Offers to Help Iraq Build New Crude Export Pipelines
(Tuesday, May 14, 2013) Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz has offered to help Iraq build new oil export infrastructure and support the OPEC member as its oil production is set to increase over the years to come.

Sipchem Starts Up Ethyl Acetate Plant
(Monday, May 13, 2013) Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) announced the start-up of ethyl acetate (EA) & butyl acetate (BA) plant owned by Sipchem Chemicals Company (fully owned by Sipchem) at its complex in Jubail Industrial City on Friday.

Turkish Energy Hub Plan Faces Hurdles
(Friday, May 10, 2013) Israel's rapprochement with onetime strategic ally Turkey is a vital element in Ankara's drive to become the intercontinental east-west energy hub in the Mediterranean and many expect it to produce an energy alliance that will transform the region.

Report: Iran Plans to Triple Gas Condensate Exports
(Thursday, May 09, 2013) Managing Director of Iranian Oil Terminals Company (IOTC) Seyyed Pirouz Mousavi said the country will roughly triple its gas condensate exports in less than two years, Press TV reported.

Qatar to Supply Egypt Up to 24 LNG Cargos In Swap Deal
(Thursday, May 09, 2013) Qatar will supply Egypt with up to 24 cargos of LNG starting May 28 as the North African country struggles to meet its domestic energy needs, the first under-secretary for agreements and exploration at the Egyptian Oil Ministry said.

Japan Seeks Saudi Oil-for-Expertise Exchange
(Tuesday, May 07, 2013) When Japan´s economic miracle began in the 1960s, it depended hugely on shipments of Saudi oil. Half a century later, Japan´s new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has turned to Riyadh again.

Oman Seeks $4B Loan for Duqm Refinery
(Wednesday, May 01, 2013) State-run Oman Oil Co is talking to bankers about raising a $4 billion loan to build an oil refinery in the southern coastal town of Duqm, a major part of the government's effort to build the country's industrial base.

Report: Iran to Create Gasoline Export Hub Near Persian Gulf
(Tuesday, April 30, 2013) Iran will create a hub of exporting gasoline in the southern city of Bandar Abbas, close to the Persian Gulf, once two gasoline production projects come on stream, the Mehr News Agency reported.

UAE to Up Crude Exports Via Fujairah to 6M Barrels in April - Official
(Wednesday, April 24, 2013) The United Arab Emirates is accelerating oil exports via a new pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz and plans to ship around 6 million barrels of crude through it this month, an official said Wednesday.

Woodside Seeks to Finalize $1.2 Bln Israeli Gas Deal by June
(Wednesday, April 24, 2013) Woodside Petroleum Ltd. aims to finalize a US$1.2 billion a deal to buy a 30% stake in a big natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea by June, after talks with Israel were held up by a general election.

ADNOC Officials: Ruwais Refinery Upgrade to Conclude in 2014
(Wednesday, April 24, 2013) The UAE is set to become self-sufficient in petrol by the end of next year.

Report: ENOC Refinery Uses Iranian Condensate
(Wednesday, April 24, 2013) Fuel made from Iranian oil is legally powering thousands of flights a year out of Dubai's booming airport, despite U.S. pressure on buyers to shun Tehran's petroleum exports, Reuters reported.