Dr Shamil Yenikeyeff analyses the reasons for the collapse of BPs Arctic partnership with the Russian state company Rosneft. He argues that the BPRosneft deal was inauspicious even before it was signed due to the history of the Kremlins reluctance to back BP plc in its often uneasy relations with the AAR consortium BPs Russian partners in the TNKBP joint venture. Dr Yenikeyeff analyses the motives of the key players involved and looks at the possible future of BPs involvement in Russia.
November 25th, 2011:
BP, Russian billionaires, and the Kremlin: a Power Triangle that never was
Motiva Enterprises toxic environmental record
The following information is in the form of extracts from a recent report produced by Louisiana Bucket Brigade environmental health and justice organization.
Louisiana refineries averaged one accident per day in 2010. There was a total of 354 reported accidents which released more than 975,000 pounds and 225,000 gallons of pollution.
Refineries rely too heavily on contract workers. There are simply not enough full-time workers on staff. Deferred maintenance and inadequate safety management significantly contributed to accidents, according to refineries own reports and testimony from the United Steelworkers.
During 2010, Motivas refinery in Norco reported seven accidents involving the same DU-5 unit, resulting in a total of 18,500 pounds of emissions. The largest accident happened in January, when a fire resulted in the shutdown of three refinery units, one worker injury and more than 17,000 pounds of toxic air emissions, including sulfur dioxide.