Petrochemicals
US exports of NGLs poised to quadruple by 2020
The Panama Canal expansion, slated for completion in 2015, will allow the transit of large tankers and put costs to ship US gas liquids to Asia on a par with deliveries from the Middle East, according to Sanford C. Bernstein. US exports would jump to 20 million metric tons by 2020 from the current 5 million tons.
Pemex sees 25% increase in petrochemicals with energy reform
Mexico’s state-owned oil and gas company Pemex expects its petrochemical production to rise 25% to 10 million tpy if a sweeping energy policy overhaul is approved.
Methanex to sell 10% stake in Egypt methanol JV
The methanol facility started commercial operations in 2011. The plant is located in Damietta, Egypt, on the Mediterranean Sea and is among the most energy efficient methanol plants in the world. The plant, which can produce 1.3 million tpy of methanol, supplies both local and global methanol markets.
GS Caltex selects CB&I as technology provider for new Korea paraxylene unit
The unit will use the BP paraxylene technology, exclusively licensed by CB&I, and will have a world-scale design capacity. The technology employs an innovative energy-efficient crystallization process to produce paraxylene. Start-up of the new plant is expected in 2016.
ICA Fluor to revamp Mexichem, Pemex VCM plant
ICA Fluor will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and commissioning services to bring the VCM facility to its nameplate capacity of 405,000 tpy, up from its current rate of 200,000 tpy. The project is planned to be completed in the 2015 fourth quarter.
Global HPI spending likely to jump 15% in 2014
Newfound optimism stems from rising availability of gas supplies in several nations, rich shale reserves in North America, and a new expansion wave for petrochemicals.
Eastman to expand Texas City plasticizers plant
The expansion at the Texas City site will increase the overall capacity of Eastman 168 by about 15% and is expected to be operational by mid-2014. Investment terms were not disclosed.
PolyOne expands India operations with new plant
The new PolyOne facility in Pune, India, will operate development labs and the sales and customer service center for the broader region. It is expected to open in the first quarter of 2014.
LanzaTech, SK to develop bio-butadiene process
SK has pioneered new refining and petrochemical technology development for many years. SK will work with LanzaTech to develop and integrate this new technology with LanzaTech's gas fermentation process, which converts industrial waste gases into low carbon fuels and chemicals.
Braskem, Styrolution to explore potential styrenics joint venture in Brazil
The proposed 100,000 tpy plant would supply specialty styrenics, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, to customers in Brazil and throughout South America. Groundbreaking for the site could be expected as early as 2015, with production likely starting in 2017.
- ANDRITZ to supply refining technology for cellulosic ethanol pilot plant in the U.S. 3/22
- Brazilian city trials new biofuel aimed at replacing diesel entirely 3/22
- South Korea to review restructuring plan for largest petrochemical complex 3/22
- Shell says Pearl GTL facility's train two in Qatar requires around a year for full repair 3/22
- Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years 3/22
- The Shipping Corporation of India and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders sign contract for methanol dual fuel platform supply vessel 3/20
