Thai petrochem major set for expansion & upgradation spree; will outlay US$1.4 bln by 2009 end

25-Aug-08

Thailand's largest petrochem maker, IRPC is planning investments including a US$200 mln gas-fired power plant, US$980 mln oil refinery and upstream chemical development, US$620 mln for upgrading oil and chemical feedstock production efficiency, and US$360 mln to meet Euro 4 standards. By 2009 end itself, IRPC is undertaking investments totalling US$1.4 bln in production facility improvements. As per the company plans, its oil refinery capacity will increase to 265,000 barrels a day from the current of 215,000 barrels by 2011 end. The gas-fired power plant alone would help curb the group's energy costs by 300 mln baht/month and enhance its production efficiency. IRPC is adding the capacity of downstream products thereby adding value to C4 and ethylene, which are byproducts of our upstream and refinery capacity expansion.