NPRA '08: Shell researching MTO process tech

31 March 2008 23:02  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ICIS news)--Shell is investigating methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process technology alongside a series of technology projects, Stacy Methvin, president and CEO of Shell Chemicals LP, said on Monday.

The energy giant is searching for feedstock alternatives in a world of high crude prices, the changing make-up of the oil barrel and more limited supplies of natural gas.

Shell would want its own MTO process because of the potentially high premium on the technology, Methven said in an interview on the sidelines of the 33rd National Petrochemicals and Refiners Association (NPRA) meeting.

Current technology providers include UOP/Hydro and Lurgi.

The UOP/Hydro process is being demonstrated in a Total Petrochemicals unit in Belgium and has been selected for EuroChem’s 1.3m tonne/year olefins complex in Nigeria.

Lurgi is involved in a methanol-to-propylene (MTP) project in China and the Chinese are also developing a version of MTO through the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics.

By: Nigel Davis
+44 20 8652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly