Study clears way for cracker

will proceed with the construction of a second world-scale steam cracker complex in

, after completing a detailed study of the project.

The complex will be located at and integrated with the existing Singapore site, providing feedstock, operating and investment synergies with the chemical plant and refinery. The plant is expected to be operation by early 2011.

‘This is a significant investment for ExxonMobil and it demonstrates our continued commitment to serve Asia Pacific as well as our confidence in the region’s long-term growth potential,’ said Michael J Dolan, president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company. ‘We have a long and successful history in Singapore. This project supports Singapore’s vision to be a global petrochemicals hub and enhances ExxonMobil Chemical’s ability to meet increasing demand for our products in the region.’

The project will include a one million tons-per-year ethylene steam cracker, two 650,000 tens-per-year polyethlyene units, a 450,000 tons-per-year polypropane unit, a 300,000 tons-per-year speciality elastomers unit, an aromatics extraction unit to produce 340,000 tons-per-year of benzene and an oxo-alcohol expansion of 125-000 tons-per-year. A 220-megawatt power cogeneration unit will also be built.

Jeffery W Davis, Asia Pacific manufacturing director, said: ‘The new complex will provide increased flexibility to meet customers’ needs by processing a broad range of feedstocks and converting them into higher-value products.’

ExxonMobil Asia Pacific also announced that it had awarded the design, engineering, procurement and construction (DEPC) contract for the steam cracker recovery unit to The Shaw Group.

The EPC contact for the steam cracker furnaces has been awarded to Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding and Heurtey. Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding has also been awarded EPC contracts for the polypropane and speciality elastomers units. The EPC contract for the two polyethylene units has been awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.