SABIC and Exxon launch Gulf Coast petrochem project
The operation includes a 1.8 MM metric tpy ethane steam cracker, two polyethylene units capable of producing up to 1.3 MM metric tpy, and a monoethylene glycol unit with a capacity of 1.1 MM metric tpy.
“We built this state-of-the-art chemical plant ahead of schedule and below budget, by leveraging our global projects expertise in execution planning and delivery, while keeping everyone safe and healthy,” said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
“This is a remarkable achievement that positions us well to help meet growing global demand for performance products while providing meaningful investment in the U.S. Gulf Coast.”
“This is a very proud moment for the parent companies,” added Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, executive vice president of SABIC’s Petrochemicals. “It was with a great deal of dedication that our teams were able to safely start up each element of the plant before the close of 2021. As we begin this next chapter for GCGV, we look forward to continuing our role as a good neighbor in the Coastal Bend.”
Construction began in the third quarter of 2019, creating an estimated 6,000 high-paying construction jobs, and the manufacturing plant now directly employs more than 600 people.
ExxonMobil and SABIC have partnered together for 40 years on petrochemical projects. Gulf Coast Growth Ventures represents their first JV in the Americas. SABIC is the operating partner for two long-standing JV with ExxonMobil in Saudi Arabia, Kemya in Jubail and Yanpet in Yanbu.