(Platts) -- Shell Chemicals plans to extend the August shutdown of its its naphtha-fed steam cracker at Pulau Bukom, Singapore, to 40-45 days from around one month, sources close to the company said Thursday. The steam cracker, which is able to produce 800 KTa of ethylene and 450 KTa of propylene, is scheduled to shut around August 11. The cracker also supports a 155 KTa butadiene unit. The duration of the turnaround was likely extended to carry out further repairs, the sources added.
The steam cracker is relatively new and was first brought on stream in March last year. After the startup, the cracker had been experiencing some technical problems, which caused several shutdowns in late 2010.