Author: omc_admin

PetroChina Dagang Petrochemical Co. has achieved 1,000 continuous operating days on its Ionikylation unit equipped with composite ionic liquid (CIL) alkylation technology for production of high-octane alkylate at the operator’s 5-million tonne/year (tpy) refinery in Dagang, Tianjin, on northeastern China’s Dagang field along the Bohai Sea coast (OGJ Online, Aug. 26, 2022). Commissioned in mid-August 2022, the 150,000-tpy CIL unit—which produces high-octane alkylate with a RON of 98 to ensure the site’s 1.5-million tpy production of gasoline meets China’s current National VI (equivalent to Euro 6) emission standard—reached the operating milestone as of May 12, said Well Resources Inc., global…

Major tech companies could receive an unexpected victory in President Donald Trump’s signature “Big Beautiful Bill” but they shouldn’t start celebrating just yet.House Republicans squeezed a provision into part of the sweeping tax, immigration, and defense legislation, which would prohibit states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade.”Except as provided in paragraph (2), no State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment this Act,” the bill reads. The text, first noticed by 404 Media, would…

Microsoft is slashing thousands of jobs to try to increase what it calls “span of control,” or the number of employees who report to each manager.The software giant on Tuesday confirmed the cuts, which Business Insider first reported in April. Microsoft said about 3% of its global workforce, roughly 6,000 employees, will be affected.Microsoft’s attempt to flatten management layers follows similar announcements from big tech peers. Amazon has been trying to increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers. Google CEO Sundar Pichai in December told staff that the company cut vice president and manager roles by 10% as part…

The Permian Basin has been the star of the U.S. shale oil and gas industry for years. But this star is, at least for the time being, dimming as production costs rise with the natural depletion of top-quality acreage. But there is another formation that could take up the torch from the Permian. And it’s in Canada.The Montney Formation in Western Canada spans Alberta and British Columbia is one of the largest natural gas deposits on the continent. It also has some rather solid crude oil resources—and some of the lowest production costs in the industry.“The primary benefit of Canadian…

If you want a full-fledged home theater, a dedicated surround sound system is a must-have. These systems use rear speakers to free sound effects from the confines of your TV and spread them in all directions. I’ve been using different surround sound systems in my living room for years, and the upgrade they offer over a typical pair of wimpy TV speakers is huge. But finding the best surround sound system for your space and budget is no simple task. There’s a lot to consider regarding size, format support, and general performance. I review home entertainment gear for a living,…

Oil continued to rebound from the year’s lows as US President Donald Trump threatened to ramp up sanctions against Iranian crude if a nuclear deal with the OPEC member isn’t reached. West Texas Intermediate advanced 2.8% to settle near $64 a barrel, bringing its recovery from this year’s lowest closing price to more than 11%. Trump told an audience in Saudi Arabia that the US will exert maximum pressure on Iranian energy exports if an agreement isn’t reached. The US State Department said earlier that it’s sanctioning a network that helps ship Iranian crude oil to China. Trump’s hawkish comments…

The best iPhone cases serve several purposes. Worthwhile cases primarily protect your iPhone from scratches, scuffing, and dirt without sacrificing aesthetics or interfering with the phone’s functionality. Cases can also add helpful features.We’ve tested dozens of cases from various brands to select the top picks for this guide, which focuses on the iPhone 16 series. Whether you’re looking for high-end protection, an attractive wallet case, or a clear case that won’t yellow rapidly, these are the top options we’ve found for varying use cases and budgets.Among the best iPhone cases we’ve tested, our top pick for protection is the Otterbox…

(Bloomberg) – Brazil’s state-controlled oil producer Petrobras approved dividends slightly below expectations amid a trade war that has created economic uncertainty and undermined oil prices. Petrobras will pay $2.1 billion USD (11.72 billion reais) in first-quarter dividends, it said in a filing Monday. Expectations were for a $2.2 billion payout, according to an average of six analyst forecasts reviewed by Bloomberg.  Brazil’s oil giant has been showering shareholders with robust dividends even though the policy has come under political attack and contributed to the downfall of the company’s previous chief executive officer last year. Investors have been concerned…

With BASF’s Licity® 2698 X F binder, and Group14’s advanced silicon battery material, SCC55®, the performance of batteries with silicon-dominant anodes is greatly enhanced. Credits: BASF BASF’s Licity® 2698 X F Bindemittel und Group14’s Silizium-Batteriematerial SCC55® steigern die Leistung von Batterien mit hohem Silizium-Anteil in der Anode erheblich. Foto: BASF BASF, a global leader in chemical innovation, and Group14 Technologies, the world’s largest manufacturer of advanced silicon battery materials, today announced a market-ready, performance-improving silicon battery solution using commercially available materials: BASF’s Licity ® 2698 X F binder, and Group14’s advanced silicon battery material, SCC55 ®.BASF…

German software company Vector has begun series production of its vSECC.MCS controller for the Megawatt Charging System, targeting fast-charging infrastructure for heavy-duty electric vehicles. The solution supports up to 3.75 MW charging and is designed to enable efficient long-haul electrification. Vector Informatik has launched its vSECC.MCS communication controller into series production, marking a key milestone in enabling Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) for heavy-duty electric transport. First unveiled at Power2Drive 2025, the controller is now available to infrastructure manufacturers developing MCS-based solutions. With battery-electric trucks requiring high charging capacities during limited downtimes, robust vehicle-to-charger communication is essential, the company states. Vector’s…