Commissioning commences at ExxonMobil ethane cracker

ExxonMobil reports that project start-up at its new 1.5mn t/y ethane cracker at its Baytown, Texas, complex is expected during 2Q2018. The new ethane cracker, part of ExxonMobil’s multi-billion dollar Baytown chemical expansion project, will provide ethylene feedstock to the new performance polyethylene lines in Mont Belvieu, which began full production in autumn 2017.

The Baytown project is a key component of ExxonMobil’s previously announced ‘Growing the Gulf’ initiative, under which it is strategically investing in new refining and chemical-manufacturing projects in the US Gulf Coast region to expand its manufacturing and export capacity. The programme consists of 11 major chemical, refining, lubricant and LNG projects at proposed new and existing facilities along the Texas and Louisiana coasts. Investments began in 2013 and are expected to continue through to at least 2022.

In addition to the ethane cracker in Baytown, ExxonMobil and SABIC are proposing to build a jointly owned petrochemical complex in San Patricio County, Texas, that would include a 1.8mn t/y ethane cracker – the largest capacity of any ethane cracker built to date.

Massive new supplies of oil and natural gas have dramatically reduced energy costs and created new sources of feedstock for US refining and chemical manufacturing. Most of ExxonMobil’s planned new chemical capacity investment in the Gulf region is focused on supplying export markets such as Asia with high-demand products, which will contribute to strengthening the US’ balance of trade. Recent changes in the US corporate tax rate also create an environment for increased future capital investments in projects such as these.

Baytown refinery extension under construction
Photo: ExxonMobil