Shell starts production at new petrochemicals unit in US Gulf Coast

Jan 7, 2019

Shell successfully commissions fourth alpha olefins unit at its Geismar chemicals manufacturing site in Louisiana. Geismar is now the world’s largest producer of alpha olefins.

Shell Global M in Geismar

Shell Chemical LP (Shell) today announced the start of production of the fourth alpha olefins (AO) unit at its Geismar, Louisiana, USA chemical manufacturing site. The 425,000-tonne-per-year capacity expansion brings total AO production at Geismar to more than 1.3 million tonnes per annum. Start-up operations began in December 2018.

The new unit utilises Shell’s advantaged technology, known as the Shell Higher Olefins Process (SHOP) technology.

“Our team delivered this world-class expansion project safely, on time and within budget,” said Graham van’t Hoff, Executive Vice President for Shell’s global chemicals business. “This is a key growth project for Shell’s global chemicals business. Geismar will continue to play a leading role in providing the materials for products that an increasing number of people need and enjoy.”

Geismar produces alpha olefins, alcohols, ethoxylates, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycols and is supported with advantaged ethylene feedstock from Shell’s nearby Norco, Louisiana and Deer Park, Texas manufacturing sites.

Existing customers can order products from our Geismar chemicals manufacturing site using the Shell Chemicals Customer Portal. New customers can request access to the Shell Chemicals Customer Portal by sending an email to our customer relations team or by calling 1-855-697-4355

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE EXPANSION PROJECT

Shell Geismar AO4 Expansion Project | Shell videos in the Americas

Shell Geismar AO4 Expansion Project

Duration: 0:54

Description:

At its Geismar Chemical Plant in South Louisiana, Shell took advantage of the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to execute an expansion project that made the Shell Geismar site the largest alpha olefins producer in the world.

Shell Geismar AO4 Expansion Project Transcript

[Background Music]

Soft but driving background music plays

Time-lapse footage of a large crane raising a tower at the Shell Geismar Plant in South Louisiana on a clear, sunny day.

[Text]
How do we at Shell measure success?

The screen shifts to a yellow background with white type over it.

[Text]

Let’s see.

A majestic bird’s-eye view of the Geismar facility in the foreground, with green pastures and rolling hills in the background.

[Text]

Invested in a project that made our Geismar site the world’s largest Alpha Olefins producer

A checkbox graphic appears to show the investment was a success.

[Text]

Hired thousands of local contractors…

A group of workers wearing hardhats smile, satisfied with the job. A checkbox graphic appears to reinforce that people were hired locally.

[Text]

and made sure they all went home safe.

More video of different workers looking satisfied on the job site. Another checkbox of success.

[Text]

Completed work on time and on budget

Time-lapse footage of elements of the construction taking place. Big portions of the new plant are put into place. A worker uses a tablet device to inspect the system in 3D modeling. A final checkbox to show success once again that the project was on time and on budget.

Transition to a yellow background with white type.

[Text]

That means Shell can make more Alpha Olefins, the key ingredient for many everyday products.

A person washes her hands at a bathroom sink. We see a hand soap dispenser in the background.

[Text]

These include hand soaps,

Three scented candles flicker in a soothing environment, visually accented by a lavender flower.

[Text]

scented wax candles,

Tight shot of a washing machine with a clear door, with the clothes spinning inside as detergent suds clean them and infuse them with nice scents.

[Text]

and laundry detergent.

Transition to a yellow background with white type.

[Text]

So…pretty successful.

A rising shot of the Geismar plant, with the expansion complete. The sky is blue and the future is bright.

[Text]

The Geismar AO4 Expansion

Transition to a yellow background with white type.

[Text]

Good for people who love clean hands, clean clothes and nice smells.

Close card with pecten and mnemonic.

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About Shell chemicals

Shell companies first entered the chemicals industry in 1929, via a partnership in the Netherlands called NV Mekog, which manufactured ammonia from coke-oven gas.