Page 10 - DMEA Week 08 2020

DMEA REFINING DMEA
Egypt to expand gas processing complex
EGYPT
The complex provides feedstock for petrochemical production.
EGYPT’S Natural Gas Co. (GASCO) has hired two local companies to expand its Western Desert gas processing plant near Alexandria.
Engineering Co. for Petroleum and Chemi- cal Industries (ENPPI) and Petroleum Projects & Technical Consultation Co. (Petrojet) were jointly awarded a contract for engineering, pro- curement and construction (EPC) services for a fourth train at the Western Desert complex, the pair said on social media. The train will handle up to 6.2bn cubic metres per year of gas, raising the plant’s overall capacity to 15.5 bcm.
The complex will also produce more ethane-propane mix as a result of the expan- sion, providing extra feedstock for Egypt’s pet- rochemical producers. These include Egyptian Ethylene & Derivatives Co.’s (Ethydco’s) 460,000 tonne per year ethylene plant, and Sidi Kerir Pet- rochemicals Co.’s (Sidpec)’s 300,000 tpy facility, both in Alexandria. The project will raise pro- duction of LPG and condensate for domestic sale as well.
Furthermore, the contractors said the expan- sion would enable the complex to turn out more commercial propane, for use as feedstock at Sid- pec’s 450,000 tpy polypropylene plant, currently
under construction.
Neither ENPPI nor Petrojet disclosed how
much the expansion would cost, or a timeframe for its completion, and GASCO has not com- mented on the project either. GASCO’s share- holders include state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding (EGAS) with 70%, Egypt Gas with 15% and Petrojet with 15%.
The Western Desert complex receives gas from the Badr El-Din Petroleum’s Al-Obayed and Khalda Petroleum’s Salam, Tarek and El-Qaser fields. Commissioned in 2000, it was Egypt’s first plant to produce ethane-propane as a feedstock,
Egypt is on a drive to expand its petrochem- icals sector to cover demand in a fast-growing domestic market. Earlier this month state-run Egyptian Petrochemicals (ECHEM) signed a co-operation agreement with US engineer- ing group Bechtel, outlining plans for a $6.7bn refining and petrochemical complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). ECHEM has begun preparing a feasibility study for the project with an international consultant, while Bechtel is to discuss funding with potential financiers, according to Egyptian authorities. ™
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Week 08 28•February•2020