Aster Chemicals and Energy (Aster) has agreed to acquire Chevron Phillips Singapore Chemicals Pte Ltd (CPSC). CPSC is a joint venture between Chevron Phillips Chemical, EDB Investments Pte Ltd, and Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd. According to Chevron Phillips Chemical, CPSC shareholders have agreed to sell 100 percent of their shares. With the acquisition of CPSC, Aster has secured ownership of a 400,000 tons per annum high-density polyethylene manufacturing facility on Jurong Island, Singapore. The facility is owned and operated by CPSC, and following the acquisition, the company’s 150 employees are expected to have an opportunity to join Aster, Chevron Phillips Chemical said. “CPSC is an excellent strategic fit for Aster, and we are confident the business will thrive as part of its portfolio,” Justine Smith, CPChem Executive Vice President of Commercial, said. “With this transaction, we are optimizing our asset portfolio to ensure we remain competitive and continue to serve as the supplier of choice to our global customers”. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Chevron Phillips Chemical said its Asia headquarters, responsible for the sales and marketing of products throughout the region, will remain in Singapore. “This acquisition represents a key achievement for Aster, supporting our strategic goals with new capabilities and strengthening our offerings to customers. CPSC’s manufacturing operations will enhance our ecosystem and advance opportunities for innovation and new collaboration”, Erwin Ciputra, Group CEO of Aster, said. Aster said it has a fully integrated refinery capacity of 237,000 barrels per day alongside a 1.1 million metric ton ethylene cracker on Bukom Island, and downstream chemical assets on Jurong Island. To contact the author, email [email protected] What do you think? We’d love to hear from you, join the conversation on the Rigzone Energy Network. The Rigzone Energy Network is a new social experience created for you

The rapid response from those working in Grimsby’s offshore wind cluster to the tragic oil tanker collision has been recognised by the industry. A special accolade was presented to key figures behind the remarkable rescue operation in the near North Sea at the Humber Renewables Awards, with a standing ovation given by the 200-strong audience. Guests at the annual gala dinner heard how crew transfer vessels dropping technicians at a wind farm were first on the scene following the mayday call, as the high profile incident unfolded off the East Yorkshire coast on March 10. A total of 36 of the 37 sailors were rescued by the Windcat team working on RWE’s Humber Gateway, with the quick-thinking actions of crew seeing them tow lifeboats to safety from burning waters, as spilled aviation fuel burned and the fire on the conjoined vessels intensified. Back on land emergency services mustered at RWE’s Grimsby base, with full incident co-ordination taking place from the control room. Skipper Brian Smith, his Windcat fleet manager Dean Login and RWE’s Humber Gateway general manager Nathan Kerins’ unstinting efforts were applauded following BBC presenter Phillip Norton’s poignant citation, with the Grimsby-born journalist invited to the stage having covered the news for the national network as it unfolded. Kerins said: “The guys in the field gave exemplary examples of bravery, commitment and professionalism.  It is absolutely right they are recognised. The whole industry demonstrated what they can offer to the wider maritime community. The drilling and the readiness, in terms of urgency from an operational perspective, lends itself to that.” Smith was first on the scene on that fateful morning. He said: “As maritime professionals we are expected to act as soon as we see or hear a mayday, and I would expect another vessel to do the same

Following news that it would cut 250 jobs from its onshore Aberdeen workforce, Harbour Energy has reported a “strong start to the year”. The UK’s largest oil and gas producer reiterated points about the UK’s challenging fiscal regime being at the heart of the decision to slash its north-east headcount by 25%, adding that “significantly lower investment levels” played a part in the decision. Business commentators said that the latest Harbour Energy redundancies served as a “devastating blow” for those impacted and that the news was “just the tip of the iceberg, unless the government changes course”. Despite this, chief executive Linda Cook announced news of “a strong start to the year” to shareholders on Thursday morning. In the first quarter of the year, Harbour Energy production levels averaged out at 500 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd). This, alongside “improved European gas price realisations and lower unit costs”, has resulted in revenues of $2.8 billion and a free cash flow of $700 million. Cook added: “Recent market volatility reinforces the benefits of our diverse portfolio and our prudent approach to risk management. ” Following the takeover of Wintershall Dea last year, Norway is now Harbour Energy’s largest producing region. However, in the first quarter it brought new wells on stream in the UK,  as well as Argentina, Egypt and Germany. The UK is still the North Sea player’s second largest producing area, falling just shy of its Nordic neighbour. Harbour produced 180 kboepd in the first period of 2025 while producing 165 kboepd in the UK. These figures mark a marginal uptick in production in the UK since last year’s reporting of 161 kboepd. In its latest trading update, the firm announced that its production guidance for the year had increased slightly, moving from 450-475 kboepd to

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright testified today before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, outlining the Department of Energy’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The FY2026 Budget reflects President Trump’s directive to unleash American energy, eliminate wasteful spending and refocus the Department on its core mission. It brings non-defense discretionary spending to its leanest level since 2017 and eliminates over $15 billion in Green New Scam funding that supports more expensive, less reliable energy sources. For more details, view the budget toplines here. Secretary Wright’s opening remarks: Chairman Fleischmann, Ranking Member Kaptur, and Members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you and this Committee today to discuss the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget request for the Department of Energy. I’m especially honored to be at my first hearing before you as U.S. Secretary of Energy. I want to commend this Committee for its longstanding commitment to energy policy and to the mission of the Department of Energy. Energy is the backbone of civilization. It is the essential catalyst of human progress— enabling everything that we do, from the lights in our home, the process heat in our factories and the innovation in our national laboratories. I’ve dedicated my life to increasing access to energy, and I’m thrilled to carry my work forward at the Department of Energy at this pivotal moment in our history. My priorities for the Department are clear — to unleash a golden era of American energy dominance, strengthen our national security, and lead the world in innovation. A reliable and abundant energy supply is the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation– it drives our economy, safeguards our freedoms and fuels breakthroughs that improve our lives. When America leads in energy, we lead in prosperity, security and human

The National Wealth Fund has handed out £600 million to ScottishPower to finance further grid upgrades in the UK. The Iberdrola subsidiary has said that the investment will help support the creation of “hundreds of jobs” while supporting the country on its journey to net zero. This funding will support seven of ScottishPower’s priority transmission grid upgrade projects, including Eastern Green Link 1 and 4, which aim to build interconnectors between Scotland and England. ScottishPower claims that the projects being financed by the National Wealth Fund will support increased renewable electricity into the UK grid. Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower, said: “Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward in the delivery of the Government’s Clean Power 2030 pathway. “Working together to drive forward these critical investments is an important catalyst for economic growth, as we make progress in bringing more renewables onto the system to meet the increasing demand for electrification.” © Supplied by ScottishPowerScottishPower’s Carland Cross wind farm and grid infrastructure. The investment forms part of a £1.35 billion financing package, led by Bank of America as Sole Debt Arranger and including Bank of America, BankInter, BNP Paribas, Caixabank, Lloyds Bank, NatWest and Banco Sabadell as lenders. ScottishPower argued that the amount of cash needed to deliver on government plans for green energy roll-out is “significant”. Recent data from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) suggested that up to £60 billion of investment is required between now and 2030 to support the delivery of a clean power system. NESO has previously identified Eastern Green Link 1 as a “crucial project”, ScottishPower said. Chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, commented: “Upgrading our energy infrastructure is good news for businesses, households, and the economy. “It will bring down bills, put more money in working people’s pockets and enable businesses to

I ran in the London Marathon this year. That’s 26.2 miles with over 50,000 people on one of the most well-known marathon courses in the world. Taking part led to me celebrating another checkmark on my lifetime bucket list. They say persistence pays off, and after six times on the ballot, I found out on 3 February that my place was confirmed. That left me just 12 weeks to train, and what I’ve learned in that time is how our bodies and minds are so much stronger than we think. Marathon training has pushed me to limits I didn’t know I had and then showed me I could push beyond them. I discovered the journey was not just about running, the most valuable lessons were found in the training and the quiet determination that will get me to the start line. © Supplied by Space SolutionsSophie Taysom, Space Solutions. Exercise really does make us happy We know stress and anxiety levels are at record highs, and we also know that exercise is one of the best ways to manage our mental wellbeing. Research shows that after just 15 minutes and nine seconds of exercise, people start to feel a positive uplift. Now, a marathon is a bit longer than 15 minutes, but it’s a starting point. Each run releases a cascade of neurochemicals—endorphin boost, increased serotonin, and cortisol reduction—all nature’s own stress relievers. During the longer weekly runs, I felt my anxieties dissolve with each mile. A simple escapism to get me away from the daily mental stimulations. I was getting outside, away from home and work, and was given a feeling of freedom and control in a world which at times can feel overwhelming. Between constant notifications, family responsibilities and work, finding time for myself initially felt selfish. But