Shell Chemical LP reported taking the final investment decision (FID) to increase alpha olefins (AO) production at its chemical manufacturing site at Geismar, La., making the site the largest AO producer in the world, the company said. Shell will construct a fourth AO unit, which will add 425,000 tonnes/year of capacity.
Construction of the unit will begin in first-quarter 2016. The new capacity brings the total AO production at Shell’s Geismar site to more than 1.3 million tpy. The site also produces alcohols, ethoxylates, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycols.
Shell’s Geismar chemical plant is next to the Mississippi River, about 20 miles south of Baton Rouge. It is a stand-alone chemicals manufacturing plant, operated by Shell Chemical.
In addition to Geismar, Shell produces AO at Stanlow in the UK, operated by Essar Oil (UK) Ltd. on Shell’s behalf as part of an integrated oil refinery and petrochemicals site.
