US – US-based petrochemical company, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) and petroleum company QatarEnergy have concluded their Final Investment Decision (FID) for the US$8.5 billion Golden Triangle Polymers Plant in the Texas Gulf Coast area of the US.
Expected to start in 2026, the largest integrated polymer facility will be situated about 180km east of Houston, notes the companies.
The plant will include an ethylene cracker unit with a capacity of 2.08 million tonnes per annum and two high-density polyethylene units with a combined capacity of two million tonnes per annum.
Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy said: “We are excited to announce taking the FID on our largest petrochemical investment ever, highlighting QatarEnergy’s integrated position as a major player in the LNG and international exploration sectors, as well as being a global petrochemicals producer.
“In addition to complementing QatarEnergy’s growing international portfolio, as well as in the United States, this important project will help meet growing global demand for polymers.”
The facility will be owned by Golden Triangle Polymers Company, which is a joint venture between QatarEnergy (49%) and CPChem (51%).
The project represents QatarEnergy’s second largest investment in the US after the US$11 billion investment in the Golden Pass LNG production and export facility, which is currently under construction and is anticipated to begin operations in late 2024.
QatarEnergy said that the plant is anticipated to generate more than 500 full-time jobs and roughly 4,500 construction jobs.
Upon completion, the Golden Triangle Polymers Plant will produce polyethylene, which is used to make durable products like water and natural gas delivery pipes and leisure items like kayaks and coolers.
The polyethylene produced at the facility will be used in packaging applications to protect and preserve food, helping prevent it from going to landfills and keeping medical supplies sterile.
The project’s polyethylene output will primarily be marketed to markets in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, QatarEnergy said.
CPChem Bruce Chinn president and CEO said: “Chevron Phillips Chemical and QatarEnergy have collaborated for over 20 years on the assets we operate together in Qatar.
“We have a great relationship and a proven record of operating these facilities safely and reliably.
“Our products make life better for billions of people every day, and they are part of a lower carbon future. This facility will help meet the growing demand for our products and improve the quality of life for the world’s growing global population.”
The project emits 25% lower greenhouse gas emissions than those of facilities of a comparable nature in the US and Europe.
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