The Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC) is 100% Shell- owned. It comprises a world-scale cracker and butadiene extraction unit on Bukom island and mono-ethylene-glycol and butadiene plant on Jurong Island in Singapore. A raw material for the textiles and packaging industries, demand for mono-ethylene-glycol is growing strongly in Asia.
Key facts
| Location: | Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island, Singapore |
| Category: | Integrated chemicals plant |
| Interest: | Shell 100% |
| Production: | 800,000 tpa Ethylene, 750,000 tpa Mono-ethylene-glycol 155,000 tpa Butadiene, 450,000 tpa Propylene 230,000 tpa Benzene |
| Key contractors: | Foster Wheeler, ABBLummus/Toyo |
Technology
In Singapore, the new mono-ethylene-glycol plant will utilize Shell’s proprietary OMEGA process. OMEGA for ethylene oxide/MEG conversion combines a high-selectivity catalyst for the conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide with a catalytic process to convert ethylene oxide to glycol. Shell companies have a long history in the manufacture of MEG. Shell’s ethylene oxide catalysts are sold to third parties and have a global market share of about 55%.
Environment and society
The Singapore government reclaimed land for the SEPC project using a method that minimised damage to corals in the area. The project will also use recycled water. SEPC has the strong support of the Singapore government for the provision of land, labour, infrastructure and training. The majority of products will be transported by existing sub-sea pipelines. All by-products will be returned to the adjacent Bukom refinery. The site is located 6km from communities in an existing petrochemical area. Air and water quality will remain within permitted limits.
Markets
In Singapore, the SEPC cracker will produce olefins, aromatics and basic feedstocks for existing and new ventures. The MEG plant will utilise Shell’s proprietary OMEGA process which combines Shell catalysts and MEG process technology to achieve the lowest consumption of ethylene per tonne of MEG so far in the industry. Other advantages include lower energy and water consumption, thus resulting in lower waste water production. MEG will be sold in the region, where there is considerable market growth. The project is a key step in our Downstream strategy to increase investments in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. The project, integrated with the Bukom refinery, also unlocks Shell’s Oil Chemical Advantage – a key focus for our Downstream business.
Current developments
Good progress is made with construction. Thousands of construction workers are employed, with hundreds of skilled jobs to be created long term. Start-up is expected around the end of the decade.
Related press releases
27 Jul 2006 - Shell to go ahead with world-scale integrated petrochemicals complex in Singapore