Shortlist for Pilbara due early this week

08 December 1997 00:00  [Source: ACN]

WESTERN Australia is expected to announce the shortlist of proponents for the Pilbara petrochemical complex by early this week.

The Western Australia Minister for Resources Development Colin Barnett is to make the announcement, an official at the state's Department of Resources Development said.

The shortlisted proponents are to resubmit their proposals by mid-February 1998. One proponent from the shortlist will be selected by end-April 1998 to undertake the full feasibility study for the complex. A commitment from this proponent is expected by Q3 1999, the official said.

The worldscale cracker and chloralkali complex is targeted to start up in 2003-04.

The Pilbara project attracted 33 applicants. Except for Dow and Shell, the applicants have been tight-lipped about their proposals.

Dow and Shell are planning a 450 000 tonne/year ethylene cracker and a chloralkali facility to start up by 2002-03. Their 50:50 joint venture will include units to produce 400 000 tonne/year of ethylene glycol and 690 000 tonne/year of ethylene dichloride (ACN 6 Oct, p49). Mitsubishi Chemical is in talks with Shell for a possible involvement in the Dow-Shell project.

Other companies interested in Pilbara include BP Chemicals, Hanwha Corp, Daelim, LG Chemical, Hyosung T&C, Samsung, Mitsubishi Chemical, ICI Australia, Wesfarmers, Linde and Krupp Uhde.

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