ERROR 1
ERROR 1
ERROR 2
ERROR 2
ERROR 2
ERROR 2
ERROR 2
Password and Confirm password must match.
If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)
ERROR 2
ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.
Houston-based Westlake Chemical Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Trinidad & Tobago to develop an ethylene complex. Westlake will evaluate the project with the National Gas Co. of Trinidad & Tobago and the National Energy Corp. of Trinidad & Tobago. The Trinidad & Tobago government intends to take a minority stake in the project. Plans call for an ethylene cracker that would convert 37,500 barrels per day of ethane into 570,000 metric tons per year of ethylene. This ethylene, in turn, would feed capacity for polyethylene and other derivatives. The project is estimated to cost about $1.5 billion and is forecast to start up in late 2010. The project could subsequently be expanded as more ethane becomes available. Leveraging its low-cost natural gas, Trinidad & Tobago has attracted huge investments in methane derivatives such as fertilizers and methanol over the past decade. Over the same period, companies have been interested in building ethane-based ethylene capacity there but haven't moved forward with a project.
Join the conversation
Contact the reporter
Submit a Letter to the Editor for publication
Engage with us on Twitter