Specialty

Continuing its strategy to take advantage of cheap U.S. natural gas and natural gas liquids, The Dow Chemical Co. plans to build several specialty material production units for its performance plastics franchise on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the company said Monday.

Driven mostly by North America, the world market for oilfield specialty chemicals climbed to almost $16 billion in 2010, with the United States and Canada accounting for more than half (52%), according to a global market study by IHS Chemical.

Fort Worth, TX-based Quicksilver Resources Inc. — which makes a specialty of targeting unconventional reservoirs, including gas shales — said more than half of its capital budget for 2011 of $455 million will be spent in Texas.

Fort Worth, TX-based Quicksilver Resources Inc. — which makes a specialty of targeting unconventional reservoirs, including gas shales — said more than half of its capital budget for 2011 of $455 million will be spent in Texas.

Avista Corp.’s Internet specialty billing and informationservices affiliate, Avista Advantage, and Texas-based ReliantEnergy have made a product distribution agreement.

Avista Corp.’s Internet specialty billing and informationservices affiliate, Avista Advantage, and Reliant Energy havereached a product distribution agreement.