AMERICAS ExxonMobil Chemical introduces new Vistamaxx grade ExxonMobil Chemical is introducing a new grade to its Vistamaxx portfolio. The new grade, Vistamaxx 3588FL provides excellent seal performance in cast PP and heat-sealable BOPP films designed for fast and reliable packaging operations. Comments: Exxon has introduced the new grade to cater to the fast-growing general packaging […]

Live Oak LNG, a newly announced North American export project with a projected 2019 operational date and five million mtpa capacity, faces an optimistic timeline given its current planning stage and lack of approvals.

CNG offers the advantages of lower cost and a more established fueling infrastructure in the US. Conversely, LNG provides higher energy density and greater portability due to its independence from pipelines, allowing access to remote areas.

Small, modular GTL projects near small/remote gas fields could improve feedstock access and offer cost, poly-production, and sourcing advantages, potentially enhancing economic returns.

Natural gas flaring has increased dramatically in the United States with the growing development of new shale plays. Today, roughly 10% of total natural gas production is lost to venting and flaring, and in North Dakota one third of all natural gas produced is flared rather than being sold. This increase in flaring has attracted […]

AMERICAS Formosa considering a new PE unit in Point Comfort Formosa Plastics is considering the construction of a PE unit at its Point Comfort complex in Texas. This will be the second new PE plant to be built at Point Comfort. Construction on the new PE unit is expected to begin in the last quarter […]

Shale gas abundance has prompted exploration of natural gas as a transportation fuel, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels, driven primarily by fuel cost differentials.

New methane regulations will require producers to retrofit or replace existing equipment. While green completion offers a relatively short payback period through captured methane, prior oil and gas price declines may affect the implementation and adoption of these regulations.

While U.S. LNG export projects garner significant attention, Canadian initiatives also target regional gas surplus, albeit with distinct characteristics.

AMERICAS Ethylene XXI nearing completion Braskem SA and Grupo Idesa’s JV plant is nearing completion and is expected to come on-stream by July 2015. The USD 4.5 billion complexes will include an ethane cracker with a capacity of 1,050 KTA, two 750 KTA HDPE plants, and one 300 KTA LDPE plant. Comments: The new ethylene […]

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 […]