Between 2008 and 2013, US natural gas output rose considerably, with shale gas growing even faster. However, recent price declines may hinder this expansion by impacting well profitability and future drilling activity.

AMERICAS  Ineos-Sasol break ground on HDPE plant  Ineos and Sasol have broken ground on a new HDPE production plant at Ineos’ La Porte manufacturing plant. The USD 500 million projects would have a production capacity of 470 KTA and are expected to begin operations in 2016. Comments: This project is among at least 8PE projects […]

Driven by new LNG exports, the global carrier fleet, 400+ in 2014, will exceed 500 within five years, prompting shipbuilder expansion.

AMERICAS Dow Chemical expansion projects on track Construction of Dow Chemical’s US Gulf Coast and Latin America expansion projects are on-track and on a plan for a start-up. In Freeport, TX construction for the on-purpose propylene PDH project is over 50% complete; the project is expected to start in mid-2015. The construction for Dow’s ethylene […]

To mitigate volatile LNG market risks, buyers should diversify suppliers and regions, while sellers should diversify customers and optimize costs.

Floating LNG technology offers potentially faster and more economical deployment compared to onshore facilities, which, if cost efficiencies are realized, could enhance LNG market competitiveness and affordability.

AMERICAS  Dow to expand production capacity in Argentina  Dow Chemical is planning to expand polyethylene production capacities, and improve production technologies and equipment at its four sites in Argentina, starting in 2015. The LDPE plant will be improved to enable the production of resins used for extrusion coatings in packaging applications. Also, the gas phase […]

AMERICAS  Borealis to consolidate plastics compounding operations in Brazil  Borealis is planning to restructure its operations in Brazil, by transferring production from its plant at Triunfo to the recently upgraded facility at Itatibain in early 2015. Borealis invested about USD 57.3 million to expand the Itatiba facility with the construction of an additional production building, […]

AMERICAS  North Dakota to have new PE Facility Badlands NGL is developing a new polyethylene facility in North Dakota with an investment of about USD 4 billion. This facility will use North Dakota’s natural gas liquid-sourced ethane gas coming out of Williston Basin as a byproduct of oil production. Badlands is working with Tecnicas Reunidas […]

Multiple companies have ventures aiming to utilize FLNG for North American natural gas exports.

U.S. natural gas surplus fosters niche LNG supply to Caribbean/Latin America via novel logistics, reflecting broader market impacts.

AMERICAS  ExxonMobil Chemical divests its stake in Univation Technologies ExxonMobil Chemical has divested its stake in Univation Technologies, a PE licensing joint venture with Dow Chemical. Univation Technologies will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2014 and is subject to regulatory approval. Comments: Univation […]