Singapore PCS delays No 1 cracker restart

21 August 2008 05:24  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Petrochemical Corp of Singapore (PCS) has delayed the restart of its 475,000 tonne/year No 1 naphtha cracker by three days to 24 August due to nitrogen disruption issues, a company source said on Thursday.

“We need nitrogen to clear the system before the plant is in service,” the source said, adding that the company planned to run the cracker at a maximum of 80-85% if current weak market conditions remained unchanged.

The No 1 cracker was taken offline for maintenance on 16 July.

PCS is currently maintaining the operating rate at its 615,000 tonne/year No 2 cracker at 80% after earlier reducing production due to high feedstock naphtha costs, the source said.

PCS is a 50:50 joint venture of Japan-Singapore Petrochemicals Co and oil major Shell.

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By: Peh Soo Hwee
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