Most Clicked AIChE SmartBrief Stories
1. Engineer shortage is expected to add to refinery expenses
AIChE SmartBrief | May 22, 2012
Refineries are expected to be more expensive to operate as companies deal with tougher environmental regulation and a lack of new engineering talent, predicts Tito Sequeira of Tyco Flow Control. The recent boost to U.S. refining is also expected to squeeze Europe over time, leading to more refinery closures, analysts say. Wall Street Journal, The (05/17) Reuters (05/16) Wall Street Journal, The (05/21)
2. Refinery sector gets unexpected boost
AIChE SmartBrief | May 15, 2012
U.S. and European refineries are finding new owners and extended operational lives in a reversal of shutdowns that had reduced capacity by 1.6 million barrels. "The refining outlook has rapidly shifted from the mass closures seen at the start of the year to a mass of restarts over the coming months," says Lawrence Eagles, head of oil research at JPMorgan in New York. Globe and Mail (Toronto), The (05/14)
3. 10 tips for cementing your leadership
AIChE SmartBrief | May 15, 2012
If you want to be taken seriously at work, don't undermine yourself by saying "um" or "I think," Alison Green writes. Focus on using declarative sentences and a confident tone of voice. If caught off guard, say you need time to think before making a decision, she writes. U.S. News & World Report (05/09)
4. Congressional committee holds hearing on refinery closings
AIChE SmartBrief | May 01, 2012
Regulations requiring more ethanol in motor fuel helped drive decisions to close refineries in Pennsylvania, oil-industry experts told lawmakers. The U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee held a hearing in response to ConocoPhillips and Sunoco announcing plans to sell or shut down refineries in the state. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which mandates that fuel contain 10% ethanol, has reduced the demand for fuel refined from oil. Delaware County Daily Times (Primos, Pa.) (04/26) Philadelphia Inquirer, The (04/26)
5. Why you shouldn't be self-conscious about your lack of experience
AIChE SmartBrief | May 22, 2012
Don't try to compensate for your lack of experience by overdressing, name-dropping or going out of your way to use industry lingo, Daniel Gulati writes. Have faith in the natural advantages of being a career rookie. "You question long-held assumptions, cross-pollinating your projects with outside ideas. You don't have to pander to the person who did you a favor all those years ago, and more generally, you don't have social capital within your organization to protect," Gulati writes. Harvard Business Review online (05/16)
6. 7 ways to be a lousy team player
AIChE SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
To wreck your team's performance, all you need to do is gossip, play the blame game, seek to exclude and isolate people, and show little to no consideration for the feelings of others, Joel Garfinkle writes. "If you want to become an effective, brilliant team member, take a look at your poorest-performing teammates -- and do the opposite," Garfinkle writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (05/21)
7. Sunoco purchase not expected to block possible refinery sales
AIChE SmartBrief | May 08, 2012
Energy Transfer Partners announced last week that it will spend $5.3 billion to acquire Sunoco, which posted a first-quarter profit. The deal includes 4,900 gasoline stations, an extensive pipeline system, storage sites and a refinery business. The deal isn't expected to affect Sunoco's efforts to sell U.S. refineries. New York Times (tiered subscription model), The (04/30) Wall Street Journal, The (04/30) Philadelphia Inquirer, The (05/03) Philadelphia Inquirer, The (05/04)
8. Delta's refinery plans include increased jet-fuel production
AIChE SmartBrief | May 08, 2012
Delta Air Lines is paying $150 million for a ConocoPhillips refinery in Pennsylvania as it seeks to reduce jet-fuel costs. The airline will operate the refinery through subsidiary Monroe Energy and will increase jet-fuel output at the plant from 14% to 32% of production. "I actually think this is a lot less risky than buying 50 new airplanes and spending $2.5 billion in new capital," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), The (05/07)
9. How to not get lost at a networking event
AIChE SmartBrief | May 08, 2012
Your first networking event will be more successful if you establish goals for yourself, Laura Katen writes. She offers eight other suggestions such as taking notes to remember important conversations. TheDailyMuse.com (05/01)
10. Ohio refinery stays open amid strike
AIChE SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Reuters (05/25)
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