Petron studying $1.5bn petchem expansion

18 March 2008 13:48  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Petron Corp is studying a plan to invest $1.5bn (€960m) to add units at its Petro fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) to increase petrochemical production, a spokesman from the Philippines’ largest domestic oil refiner  said on Tuesday.

“The expansion will include several units to allow for full conversion of black products like fuel oil into white products lsuch as liquefied petroleum gas [LPG] and petrochemical products,” he said.

Several units would be gradually added over a period till 2014 to its $300m Petro FCC, which came on stream last month, he said, without disclosing further details on the type or capacity of the units or when the study is expected to be concluded.

Petron expects to boost operating efficiency at its 180,000 bbl/day Bataan refinery, he said. The refinery has a conversion capacity of 19,000 bbl/day.

The Petro FCC also has a propylene recovery unit with a capacity of 140,000 tonnes/year. A benzene, toluene and mixed xylene unit with capacities of 22,800 tonnes/year, 150,000 tonnes/year and 225,000 tonne/year respectively, will come on stream late this year or early next year, he said.

($1 = €0.64)

By: Arujnee J Ram
+65 6780 4359

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