Shell opens world's largest MEG plant

15 Dec '09

3 min read

New Shell plant is a key component of the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC) in Singapore, on track for full completion in early 2010.

Shell has delivered another world-scale project on schedule with the official opening of its mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) plant on Singapore's Jurong Island today by Lim Hng Kiang, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry and Ben van Beurden, Shell Executive Vice President Chemicals.

With a nameplate capacity of 750,000 tonnes of MEG per annum, the 100% Shell-owned unit is one of the largest MEG plants in the world. This plant is a key component of the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC), which is on track for full completion in early 2010. When SEPC is fully operational, it will be Shell's largest, fully-integrated refinery and petrochemicals hub, bringing economic and efficiency benefits in terms of feedstocks, operations and logistics.

This new MEG plant marks another technology first for Shell. It is the first time Shell is using its award-winning OMEGA processing technology. The OMEGA process gives the highest commercial yields of MEG from ethylene. Production and operating costs are lower than a traditional MEG plant, less steam is consumed and less wastewater produced.

Ben van Beurden said:“ Singapore is already Shell's largest petrochemical production and export centre in the Asia Pacific region, and the SEPC project is Shell's largest Downstream investment in Singapore. The successful completion of the MEG plant,” he continued, “signifies another significant step in our strategy to grow our Chemicals business selectively to meet the needs of our Asia Pacific customers.”

“I am delighted that we are using our newest technology in our newest world-scale plant,” he added. “I believe the combination of OMEGA and the integration benefits with our refinery will be a winning formula that will position the MEG plant for a robust future.”

Minister Lim said: “The MEG plant marks an important milestone in the run-up to the completion of the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex in 2010. We are delighted to have a partner like Shell, who continues to take a long-term view in their investments, and have trust and confidence in Singapore. With the continued growth momentum in Asia, Singapore remains a strategic base for companies looking to expand in Asia, and beyond.”

Construction on the MEG plant began in 2007, and since then, not one worker has taken time off because of an injury. This translates to 13.5 million hours without a lost time injury, a world-class achievement in safety performance.

The SEPC project comprises the MEG plant, a new 800,000 tonnes per annum Ethylene Cracker Complex (ECC), a butadiene plant, and modifications to the existing Pulau Bukom Refinery, which are planned to start up in early 2010. SEPC has been strategically located to take advantage of existing infrastructure and to ensure that maximum benefits are achieved by integrating the petrochemical site with the existing Bukom Refinery.

More than 200 hundred customers, guests, staff and media witnessed the opening of the Shell Singapore MEG plant. This was followed by a tour of the new plant.

Shell Chemicals Limited

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