Total plans new, $2B ethane cracker in Texas; contracts CB&I technology
CB&I was awarded a contract by Total to provide its proprietary ethylene technology and front-end engineering and design (FEED) services for a proposed new ethane cracker located at the existing Total complex in Port Arthur, Texas.
The proposed $2-billion steam cracker will have a capacity of 1 MMmtpa of ethylene, or about 2.2 million lb/year.
CB&I will provide FEED services and the process license for its latest, proven ethylene technology, including seven highly selective SRT (short residence time) cracking heaters.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with Total, one of the world's largest integrated producers and look forward to collaborating closely with them to develop this project through FEED and beyond," said Philip K. Asherman, CB&I's president and CEO.
"The award of both the technology license and the FEED phase for this significant ethylene project reflects the confidence Total has in CB&I's integrated capabilities," he added.
A final decision on the project is expected next year and the project would be completed in 2019, Total announced.
“In the United States, we want to capitalize on the shale gas revolution during which gas prices have plunged 66 percent,” said Philippe Sauquet, president of Total Refining and Chemicals. “In such an environment, the advantage to investing in petrochemical activities is access to a plentiful, inexpensive feedstock and to low-cost energy for our plants.
Total said it is in talks with potential co-venturers for the planned second cracker at its Port Arthur complex.
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