Exxonmobil And SABIC To Construct 1.8 Mln Tpa Ethane Steam Cracker In Texas

ExxonMobil and SABIC to construct 1.8 mln tpa ethane steam cracker in Texas

14-Jun-19

ExxonMobil and SABIC announced the decision to proceed with the construction of a chemical facility and a 1.8 million metric ton ethane steam cracker in San Patricio County, Texas. The joint-venture between ExxonMobil and SABIC, called Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, received final environmental regulatory approval in June 2019 to build an ethane steam cracker, two polyethylene units and a monoethylene glycol unit. Construction will begin in Q3-2019 and start up is anticipated by 2022. The project is owned 50% by ExxonMobil and 50% by SABIC, with ExxonMobil as site operator.

“Building the world’s largest steam cracker, with state-of-the-art technology, on the doorstep of rapidly growing Permian production gives this project significant scale and feedstock advantages,” said Darren W. Woods, chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil. “It is one of several key projects that provide the foundation for significantly increasing the company’s earnings potential.”

“SABIC is very pleased to move forward on this third joint venture with ExxonMobil – the first to be operated outside of Saudi Arabia,” said SABIC vice chairman and CEO Yousef Al-Benyan. “This project will not only increase global diversification for our company, but will also continue to create value within our new home of San Patricio County through creating jobs and supporting economic growth. With this project, we look forward to further building our business presence in the U.S. and serving the communities and customers in the North and South American markets even more effectively.”

Project construction will be led by four primary engineering, procurement and construction companies: The Wood Group, McDermott & Turner Industries Group, Chiyoda & Kiewit and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries & Zachry Group.

The project is part of SABIC’s growth strategy to build new petrochemical facilities in key markets, including the Americas, to address industry demand and achieve the company’s 2025 strategy.