MOSCOW (MRC) -- KBR has been awarded a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by INEOS Olefins & Polymers for one of the largest grassroots high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plants to be built in the Americas, according to the KBR's press release.
The facility will produce 470,000 tpy of bimodal HDPE using Innovene S process technology.
KBR’s work on this facility will support efforts that take advantage of the projected resurgence of US ethylene production capacity resulting from abundant shale energy resources in North America.
The facility is expected to be located in the US Gulf coast area.
KBR’s scope of work includes the FEED for the inside and outside battery limit facilities, development of an appropriation grade cost estimate, and order of long lead equipment for the project.
Services will be provided out of KBR’s Houston world headquarters and its high-value engineering center in Monterrey, Mexico. Full sanction for the project is anticipated in the first half of 2014.
A steady state of operation for this facility is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2015.
"This is an important and strategic win for KBR and will allow us the opportunity to demonstrate our unparalleled expertise in the downstream market,” said David Zelinski, president of KBR's downstream business. “KBR is pleased to continue our successful partnership with INEOS and support their commitment to the HDPE market."
We remind that, as MRC reported earlier, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA and Sasol has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the intent to form a joint venture to manufacture high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The envisioned facility would produce 470,000 tonnes per annum of bimodal HDPE using Innovene S process technology licensed from INEOS Technologies. The intention is to produce a limited number of grades allowing high grade efficiencies.
INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products. It comprises 15 businesses each with a major chemical company heritage. Its production network spans 51 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries throughout the world.
MRC