CPChem enlists Technip Energies for Sweeny ethylene project

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC (CPChem)—a 50-50 joint venture of Chevron USA Inc. and Phillips 66 Co.—has let a contract to Technip Energies NV to provide proprietary equipment for a project to improve environmental performance of the operator’s existing ethylene production unit in Sweeny, Tex., about 50 miles southwest of Houston.

As part of the July 29 agreement, Technip Energies will deliver engineering and procurement for supply of its low-carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission cracking furnace for installation at the Sweeny cracker, the service provider said.

As the first complete commercial implementation of its low-CO₂ cracking furnace technology, Technip Energies said Sweeny’s implementation of the furnace will reduce the unit’s fuel consumption and lower its CO₂ emissions by about 30% from current levels.

Designed to improve fuel efficiency using a novel heat recovery scheme—including combustion-air preheat and a first-of-its-kind gas-to-gas primary feed effluent exchanger—the technology’s installation at Sweeny will also electrify a major compressor driver, the service provider said.

Because the low emission furnace will be capable of using hydrogen as fuel, the project will enable immediate and future reductions to the Sweeny cracker’s carbon intensity, according to Technip Energies.

While neither operator nor service provider revealed additional details regarding the contract or project timeline, CPChem said the Sweeny upgrade comes as part of the company’s broader focus on lowering carbon intensity of its operations.

In its 2023 sustainability report released on July 18, CPChem said its in-house climate technology team regularly investigates and studies new carbon-reducing technologies and strategies for potential integration into the company’s existing and future operations.

Sourcing renewable electricity, exploring opportunities for electrification and hydrogen firing, and evaluating carbon capture solutions are several areas where CPChem believes technology has the capability to drive sustainable advancements, the operator said.

One of the largest single-site ethylene units globally, the Sweeny has a production capacity of more than 11 million lbs/day, according to CPChem’s website.

While CPChem does not independently disclose more specific operating data, Chevron confirmed in its latest annual report that the Sweeny unit produced about 2 million tonnes/year of ethylene during 2023.