Egypt
The Egyptian Petroleum Minister has spoken out about the importance of the petrochemical industry to Egypt’s economy. As part of the Ministers speech he announced plans to invest US$ 9 billion in the country’s petrochemical industry to being the second phase of the government’s national plan for petrochemicals.
Iraq
Shaw Energy & Chemicals Ltd. has completed 60% of the front end engineering and design phase of a new refinery planned for the city of Kirkuk. The plant will be owned by North Refineries Co. and is expected to have a processing capacity of 150 000 bpd.
Saudi Arabia
There are approximately 147 projects in planning stages in Saudi Arabia connected to the oil and gas industry. One of the key petrochemical projects is the construction of a facility in Yanbu that will be an integrated refinery as well as petrochemical plant. The cost of this project is estimated at US$ 20 billion. The Jazan refinery is another project in the country and is expected to cost US$ 7 billion to construct.
South Korea
The Samsung Total Petrochemicals joint venture petrochemical complex in Daesan will under go an expansion and upgrade. The work is expected to cost approximately US$ 1.8 billion and allow the construction of a second aromatics unit and an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer unit. The units are scheduled for completion in 2014.
South Sudan
South Sudan is looking to construct and refinery and pipeline to produce and export crude to Kenya. The country is looking for an alternative route after reaching a deadlock over obstruction with Sudan. The need for a new pipeline export route was highlighted earlier this month.
USA
ZeaChem is planning on constructing a 25 million gal./y of ethanol biofuel refinery in Oregon. The company’s plans became more feasible after the US Department of Agriculture announced a US$ 235 million loan to help the company finance the US$ 390 million project. ZeaChem expect to have the facility online by the end of 2014.