Petrochemicals
Sadara chemicals venture of Saudi Aramco, Dow secures key funding
The Sadara complex, one of the world's largest chemicals plants, is expected to produce more than 3 million tpy of petrochemicals once it is completed in 2016. Khalid al-Falih, CEO of Saudi Aramco, said in 2011 that Sadara would require large amounts of debt finance, and it was considering various options.
China approves BP plan for new Zhuhai PTA plant
The ‘Zhuhai 3’ plant will have a capacity of 1.25 million tpy and is expected to start up in late 2014. Zhuhai 3 joins two earlier phases of PTA units at the same location, bringing total capacity at the site to more than 2.7 million tpy. After the launch of Zhuhai 3, BP’s global PTA capacity will be 8.25 million tpy.
Mitsui wins FEED work for Sasol Louisiana PE plant
The project is part of Sasol’s planned world-scale ethane cracker and derivatives complex to be built in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The plant's low-density polyethylene (LDPE) capacity will be 420,000 tpy.
US safety board to probe Williams olefins blast
The CSB looks at all areas of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations and industry standards.
Foster Wheeler plans China substitute natural gas unit with Wison, Clariant
The pilot plant will demonstrate Foster Wheeler’s VESTA substitute natural gas (SNG) technology. Under the agreement, Wison Engineering will provide engineering and construction services, Foster Wheeler will license technology, and Clariant will supply the proprietary developed catalyst.
Explosion hits Williams Louisiana olefins plant
An explosion and subsequent fire rocked the Williams olefins plant in Geismar, Louisiana, leading to evacuations, two deaths and numerous injuries. Ambulances and helicopters transported those injured facility to local hospitals and about 300 workers were evacuated from the scene.
US petrochemical companies seek exports to Asia
Hydraulic fracturing and other drilling technologies are keeping prices for natural gas -- a key raw material for Dow Chemical and other chemical producers -- below $4/MMBtu. That's cheap enough that the US chemical industry can start taking market share from Middle Eastern producers.
Siemens to install wet air oxidation system in Qatar for ethylene expansion
The Zimpro wet air oxidation system from Siemens will be part of QAPCO’s facility in Mesaieed Industrial City. The new WAO system will provide QAPCO with more efficient wastewater treatment while eliminating noxious spent caustic sulfide odors. The facility should be operational in December 2013.
ExxonMobil to fund training program for Houston chemical industry jobs
The initiative will build on the success of the nationally-recognized ExxonMobil process technology program at Lee College and will benefit 50,000 students and educators over the next five years.
Wood Group Mustang to build Texas pipelines for Dow ethylene project
Wood Group Mustang has previously provided a full spectrum of services for Dow's pipeline assets, including support for the company's Texas pipeline integrity program. Following completion of front-end loading (FEL) in 2012, detailed design for the project began in February 2013.
- Australia’s biggest LNG plants suffer outages due to cyclone, straining global supply 3/27
- Iran war chokes petrochemical supply, sends plastic prices soaring 3/27
- Stockholm Exergi taps Inprocess to deliver advanced process simulator for BECCS project 3/27
- Japan to relax rules from April to boost coal-fired power amid LNG import risks 3/27
- Velan releases upgrades to its delayed coker isolation valves 3/27
- AFPM: ‘Baffling’ final RFS will break cost records. In fact, it already is 3/27
