CP Chem commissions new US PE units at Texas site

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem) has successfully completed commissioning and begun start-up of its new polyethylene (PE) units at Old Ocean, Texas, the US petrochemicals major said on Tuesday.

Each unit will produce up to 500,000 tonnes/year to help meet growing global PE demand. They can produce a wide variety of PE resin from metallocene linear low density PE (LLDPE) film to bi-modal film and pipe products.

ICIS reported last month that two 1.1bn lb/year (500,000 tonne/year) CP Chem PE derivative units at Old Ocean were on track for start-up in the third quarter after reaching mechanical completion in June.

The units are the first phase of CP Chem’s $6bn “US Gulf Coast Petrochemical Project”, the company added.

“In 2011, Chevron Phillips Chemical was the first to announce a leading-edge $6bn petrochemicals project to take advantage of the newfound shale gas resources in the US, and I am thrilled we are completing the first phase of this project,” said Mark Lashier, the company’s president and CEO.

“Abundant shale gas resources are fueling an economic revival that extends across the nation and supports economic growth around the globe,” Lashier said.

“Chevron Phillips Chemical is proud to be a leading contributor to the nation’s growing workforce and strengthening economy,” he said.

Above, photo of Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem) new polyethylene (PE) units in Old Ocean, Texas. Source: CP Chem