Shell’s
Geismar chemicals manufacturing site
The
successful completion of a major expansion project makes Shell’s
Geismar chemicals manufacturing site the largest producer of alpha
olefins in the world.
Shell Chemical LP (Shell) has announced the start of production of
the fourth alpha olefins (AO) unit at its Geismar, Louisiana, USA
chemical manufacturing site. The 425,000-tonne-per-year capacity
expansion brings total AO production at Geismar to more than 1.3 million
tonnes per annum. Start-up operations began in December 2018.
Alpha olefins are key ingredients in many finished products that
people use and enjoy every day, including laundry detergents, motor
oils, and hand soaps.
“Our team delivered this world-class expansion project safely, on
time and within budget,” said Graham van’t Hoff, Executive Vice
President for Shell’s global chemicals business. “This is a key growth
project for Shell’s global chemicals business. Geismar will continue to
play a leading role in providing the materials for products that an
increasing number of people need and enjoy.”
The new unit strengthens Shell’s leading position in the US Gulf
Coast and illustrates the strategic value of its integrated downstream
business. The Geismar site is supported with advantaged ethylene
feedstock from Shell’s nearby Norco, Louisiana and Deer Park, Texas
manufacturing sites, enabling the site to respond to market conditions.
The expansion project contains around 3,570 tonnes of steel, 18,290
metres of concrete and 85 linear kilometres of pipe. Several new pieces
of infrastructure were built as part of the expansion, including a new
water cooling tower, a significant expansion of the site’s rail loading
capabilities, and the repurposing of a previously idled tank farm.
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