May naphtha imports for petrochemicals in Japan falls 10% yoy

25-Jun-12

Japan's naphtha imports for the petrochemical sector fell 10% in May 2012 from May 2011, as per Reuters. Imports of naphtha for ethylene production totalled 1.01 mln tons last month, down from 1.12 mln tons in the same month a year earlier, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. KBR to provide integrated technology, EPC for 400,000 tpa ethylene plant in Uzbekistan KBR is to provide an integrated technology, engineering, procurement and construction support solution for Uz-Kor Gas Chemical’s flexible feed, 400,000 metric tpa ethylene plant in the Ustyurt region of Uzbekistan. The plant will be the first ethylene plant based on KBR’s license in Uzbekistan and will utilize KBR’s proprietary SCORE (Selective Cracking and Optimum Recovery) technology, as per fibre to fashion. KBR will deliver the basic engineering package, SCORE technology license, operator training, start-up services and in-country construction assistance. KBR will also provide detailed engineering and design for the furnace section of the ethylene plant and supply equipment related to the ethylene furnace. KBR’s SCORE technology provides the petrochemical industry with state-of-the-art technology optimized from both a design contractor’s and ethylene producer’s perspective. GS Engineering and Construction Corp. will supply additional engineering, procurement, and construction for the project. This project will further strengthen KBR’s working relationship with GS Engineering & Construction as providers of competitive Lump Sum EPC solutions to potential customers. “We are excited about the opportunity to provide KBR’s technology and services for the first time in an Uzbek plant,” said David Zelinski, KBR’s Downstream President. “The region’s abundant supply of gas and other natural resources have the potential to deliver growth and prosperity to both KBR and Uzbekistan.”