Russia-based petrochemical company to complete technical modernization at its unit in 2012

(chemmonitor) -- The Russia-based petrochemical company JSC Gazprom neftekhim Salavat, headquartered in Salavat (Bashkortostan) completed the first phase of technical modernization of ethylbenzene production.

The company is implementing a technical modernization of benzene transalkylation unit at the Monomer plant.

The project will be a transition from the gas-cycle to the liquid-phase transalkylation, which will allow the company to reduce energy and resource consumption, raise the efficiency of the process and receive an additional 10% of ethylbenzene and styrene.
MRC

(chemmonitor) -- US polystyrene (PS) manufacturers continue to fight against bans on the usage of the material in foodservice ware products as well as grab-and-go packaging.

One of most recent bans was adopted in Hermosa Beach (California).

The new law us to take effect by the end of the current year. It prohibits the utilization of the product in takeout packaging.

MRC

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Enterprise Products, Anadarko Petroleum and DCP Midstream agreed to build a new NGL pipeline that will start in the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Weld County, Colorado, and extend 435 miles to Skellytown, Texas. Enterprise will build and operate the pipeline, which begins service in the 2013 fourth quarter.

Enterprise Products, Anadarko Petroleum and DCP Midstream have agreed to design and construct a new natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline that will originate in the Denver-Julesburg Basin (DJ Basin) in Weld County, Colorado, and extend 435 miles to Skellytown, Texas, in Carson County. Each party will hold a one-third interest.

The new Front Range pipeline (Front Range), with connections to the Mid-America pipeline system and the recently announced Texas Express pipeline, will help producers in the DJ Basin maximize the value of NGL production by providing takeaway capacity and market access to the Gulf Coast, the largest NGL market in the US, officials said.

Depending on shipper interest to an upcoming binding open commitment period, initial capacity on Front Range is expected to be approximately 150,000 bpd, which can be expanded to about 230,000 bpd.

MRC

(nctww) -- State oil giant Saudi Aramco and Japan's Sumitomo Chemical have told companies bidding to expand their joint petrochemicals complex in Saudi Arabia they need more time to pick contractors.

The partners have asked engineering companies bidding for the Rabigh II expansion contracts to extend the validity dates from mid April to the end of the month. They have also asked for bids for another part of the complex to be extended to May 12, sources said. Aramco and Sumitomo did not give any other indication on the status of the project for which contract awards had been expected earlier this year.

A second feasibility study needs to be completed before finalizing the joint investment decision. "We are very much committed," Abdulaziz al-Judaimi, Aramco's vice president for chemicals. Under Rabigh II - which is expected to cost USD6-USD8bn - the existing ethane cracker would be expanded as well as a new aromatics complex using around 3 million tonnes per year of naphtha and various units of petrochemical products of higher value and specialty including EPR (ethylene propylene rubber), Methyl Methacrylate (MMA).

Industry sources in Saudi Arabia have said Aramco would press ahead with the project as it is a key part of Saudi plans to diversify its energy mix and maximize profits from downstream activities. The original bids were valid for 180 days from October last year when proposals were due in for 10 packages of the expansion.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - In March, the imports of polystyrene (PS) to the Russian market exceeded 16,000 tonnes, according to MRC analysts.

Last month, the imports of PS to the Russian market increased by 3.9%, compared to February 2012.

The imports volume of expandable polystyrene (EPS) approached 6,500 tonnes, while in February the imports made more than 7,000 tonnes. Since the beginning of the year the supplies of EPS to the Russian market made 17,800 tonnes, which was 14% up year on year.

The largest increase was recorded in the supply of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). In March, the imports of GPPS increased by 58% compared to February and made 4,300 tonnes. In Q1, the volume of GPPS imports made 8,800 tonnes.

The increased demand for ABS led to growing imports volume of the material. In March, Russian companies imported 3,200 tonnes of material, up 23% compared with the supply in February 2012. In Q1, the imports of ABS made 7,500 tonnes, up 17% year on year.

The imports of EPS are expected to grow in the near future on the back of a seasonal increase in demand. The imports of ABS are also likely to increase and market players suppose that this trend will continue in the coming months.

MRC