BASF-Total venture starts up 10th furnace at Port Arthur steam cracker

BASF Total Petrochemicals LCC (BTP) reported the startup of a 10th furnace at its steam cracker facility in Port Arthur, Tex.

BTP said the additional furnace improves feedstock flexibility, enhances plant reliability, and increases annual production capacity of ethylene to more than 1 million tonnes.

Last year, BTP completed its revamp of the steam cracker to process ethane (OGJ Online, May 23, 2013).

“These recent investments in the steam cracker allow the plant to produce more than 85% of its ethylene based on cost advantaged feedstocks,” said Philippe Doligez, senior vice-president for Total Refining & Petrochemicals Americas.

BTP is a joint venture of BASF Corp. (60%) and Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA (40%).