Safety: Petrochemical facilities handle hazardous materials, so it is essential that they have strong safety protocols in place to protect workers and the environment. This includes having a well-trained workforce, regular safety inspections, and robust emergency response plans.
Environmental compliance: Petrochemical facilities must comply with strict environmental regulations. This includes minimizing emissions, wastewater discharges, and waste disposal.
Energy efficiency: Petrochemical facilities consume a lot of energy, so it is important to be as energy efficient as possible. This can be done through measures such as using heat recovery, optimizing process controls, and using renewable energy sources.
Productivity: Petrochemical facilities need to be able to produce products efficiently and on time. This requires having well-maintained equipment, a skilled workforce, and a reliable supply chain.
Sustainability: Petrochemical facilities should strive to be sustainable by using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and minimizing their environmental impact.
Distribution Center functionality:
Purpose: To produce chemicals and other petroleum products
Location: Usually near oil and gas fields
Technology: Uses a variety of technologies to extract and process oil and gas, and then convert them into chemicals and other products
Services: Provides chemicals and other petroleum products to a variety of industries
The most advanced petrochemical facilities in North America are leading the way in innovation and sustainability. These facilities use cutting-edge technologies to produce high-quality products while minimizing their environmental impact.
in Baytown, Texas. This complex is the largest petrochemical complex in the United States and has been awarded numerous awards for its safety, environmental performance, and innovation.
Name: ExxonMobil Baytown Complex
Year built: 1919
Location: Baytown, Texas
Size: 3,400 acres
Architect: Various
Type of petrochemical facilities: Refinery, chemical plant, and olefins plant
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Extensive network of pipelines and storage tanks that transport and store crude oil, chemicals, and products
Type of chemicals created: A wide variety of chemicals, including plastics, fertilizers, and fuels
Products created from chemicals: A wide variety of products, including plastics, fertilizers, fuels, and lubricants
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Plastics for cars, trucks, and airplanes
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Plastics for appliances, furniture, and electronics
Product created from crude oil: Gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel
Local transportation sector: The complex employs over 20,000 people and supports thousands of jobs in the local transportation sector
Products produced for construction sector: A variety of products used in construction, including plastics, steel, and concrete
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: Millions of tons of fertilizers are produced at the complex each year
Tax revenue generated: The complex generates billions of dollars in tax revenue for the state of Texas
Amount of money invested in research and development: ExxonMobil invests billions of dollars each year in research and development
in Corpus Christi, Texas. This complex was the first new petrochemical complex to be built in the United States in over 30 years and was awarded the 2022 Project of the Year by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Name: Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) San Patricio Complex
Year Built: 2021
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Size: 4.99 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa)
Architect: Jacobs Engineering
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Ethylene cracker, monoethylene glycol unit, and two polyethylene units
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Over 200 miles of pipelines and 1.5 million cubic meters of storage tanks
Type of chemicals created: Ethylene, polyethylene, ethylene glycol, and ethylene oxide
Products created from chemicals: Plastics, fibers, antifreeze, and solvents
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Tires, hoses, and belts
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Packaging, textiles, and construction materials
Product created from crude oil: Ethane
Local transportation sector: Port of Corpus Christi
Products produced for construction sector: Concrete, asphalt, and roofing materials
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: 1.3 million tonnes per annum
Tax revenue generated: $500 million per annum
Amount of money invested in research and development: $1 billion
in Texas is one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world. It has been awarded the AIChE's Plant of the Year award three times.
Name: Dangote Refinery
Year Built: 2023
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Size: 650,000 barrels of oil per day
Architect: Saipem
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Oil refinery
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Extensive network of pipelines and storage tanks
Type of chemicals created: A wide variety of chemicals, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel
Products created from chemicals: A wide variety of products, including plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Gasoline, diesel, and kerosene
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals
Product created from crude oil: Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel
Local transportation sector: The refinery will create jobs for thousands of people in the local transportation sector, who will be needed to transport the petroleum products to market.
Products produced for construction sector: The refinery will produce a variety of products that are used in the construction sector, such as cement, steel, and asphalt.
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: The refinery will produce a significant amount of fertilizers, which will help to boost agricultural production in Nigeria.
Tax revenue generated: The refinery is expected to generate billions of dollars in tax revenue for the Nigerian government.
Amount of money invested in research and development: The Dangote Group has invested billions of dollars in research and development for the Dangote Refinery. This investment will help to ensure that the refinery is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly in the world.
The future of petrochemicals in Africa is bright, with demand for these products expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Africa has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to produce petrochemicals, and the continent is home to a growing number of petrochemical plants.
in South Africa is the world's largest single-site coal-to-liquids (CTL) plant. It was awarded the Engineering News Record (ENR) Global Award of Excellence in 2010.
Name: Sasol Secunda
Year Built: 1980
Location: Secunda, South Africa
Size: 160,000 barrels per day (25,000 m3/d)
Architect: Sasol
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Coal-to-liquids (CTL) plant
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Extensive network of pipelines and storage tanks to transport and store coal, syngas, and liquid fuels
Type of chemicals created: Synthetic fuels, chemicals, and fertilizers
Products created from chemicals: Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, naphtha, kerosene, synthetic waxes, lubricants, and fertilizers
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Naphta, kerosene, and synthetic waxes
Product created from crude oil: None
Local transportation sector: The Sasol Secunda plant is a major employer in the local area and provides a significant boost to the local economy. The plant also generates tax revenue for the government.
Products produced for construction sector: Synthetic building materials, such as bricks and concrete
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: Sasol Secunda produces a significant amount of fertilizers, which are used to support agricultural production in South Africa and around the world.
Tax revenue generated: The Sasol Secunda plant generates significant tax revenue for the South African government. In 2019, the plant paid over $1 billion in taxes.
Amount of money invested in research and development: Sasol invests heavily in research and development. In 2019, the company spent over $1 billion on R&D.
is located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It is a polyolefins producer of a range of polyethylene and polypropylene products. The plant was acquired by Indorama Corporation in 2006 and has since won several awards, including the "Best Ethylene Plant in Africa" award from the African Petrochemical Association in 2012.
Name: Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited
Year Built: 2006
Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Size: 400 acres
Architect: Chiyoda Corporation, JGC, Kobe Steel, Tecnimont, Spie Batignolles
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Polyolefins producer of a range of polyethylene and polypropylene products
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Extensive network of pipelines and storage tanks for the transportation and storage of chemicals
Type of chemicals created: Ethylene, propylene, and other olefins
Products created from chemicals: Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other plastics
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Fuel tanks, bumpers, and other automotive parts
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Pipes, valves, and other industrial components
Product created from crude oil: Ethylene
Local transportation sector: The plant uses a fleet of trucks and barges to transport chemicals and products to customers
Products produced for the construction sector: Polyethylene pipes and sheets
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: 1.5 million tons per year
Tax revenue generated: $1 billion per year
Amount of money invested in research and development: $100 million per year
is the largest single-train oil refinery in the world. It is located in Lagos, Nigeria and is owned by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote. The refinery will produce a range of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. The refinery is expected to produce 650,000 barrels of oil per day and is expected to be completed in 2023.
Name: Dangote Refinery
Year Built: 2023
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Size: 650,000 barrels of oil per day
Architect: Saipem
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Oil refinery
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Extensive network of pipelines and storage tanks
Type of chemicals created: A wide variety of chemicals, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel
Products created from chemicals: A wide variety of products, including plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Gasoline, diesel, and kerosene
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals
Product created from crude oil: Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel
Local transportation sector: The refinery will create jobs for thousands of people in the local transportation sector, who will be needed to transport the petroleum products to market.
Products produced for construction sector: The refinery will produce a variety of products that are used in the construction sector, such as cement, steel, and asphalt.
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: The refinery will produce a significant amount of fertilizers, which will help to boost agricultural production in Nigeria.
Tax revenue generated: The refinery is expected to generate billions of dollars in tax revenue for the Nigerian government.
Amount of money invested in research and development: The Dangote Group has invested billions of dollars in research and development for the Dangote Refinery. This investment will help to ensure that the refinery is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly in the world.
Asia is the global leader in petrochemical innovation, with cutting-edge facilities that are setting the standard for the industry. From China to South Korea to Singapore, Asian companies are investing heavily in new technologies and processes that are making petrochemical production more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
in Singapore. This complex was awarded the "Best Integrated Chemical Project" by the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) in 2011. It is the largest petrochemical complex in Singapore and one of the most advanced in the world. The SEPC produces a wide range of petrochemical products, including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, and polyethylene.
Name: Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC)
Year Built: 2009-2010
Location: Singapore
Size: 1,000 acres
Architect: Jacobs Engineering Group
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Ethylene cracker, monoethylene glycol plant, butadiene plant, propylene plant, benzene plant
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Over 100 miles of pipelines and 100 storage tanks
Type of chemicals created: Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, polyethylene, polyesters, plastics, fertilizers
Products created from chemicals: Clothing, food packaging, construction materials, automotive parts, medical devices, electronics
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Tires, fuel hoses, lubricants, brake pads
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Adhesives, sealants, paints, plastics
Product created from crude oil: Ethylene
Local transportation sector: The SEPC uses a fleet of trucks and barges to transport its products to customers
Products produced for construction sector: Polyethylene pipes, concrete reinforcing bars, roofing materials
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: 1 million tons per year
Tax revenue generated: $1 billion per year
Amount of money invested in research and development: $100 million per year
in Gujarat, India. This complex was awarded the "Best Petrochemical Complex" by the World Petrochemical Council (WPC) in 2010. It is the largest single-location petrochemical complex in the world and has a production capacity of over 12 million tons per year. The Jamnagar Complex produces a wide range of petrochemical products, including ethylene, propylene, benzene, and xylenes.
Name: Reliance Industries Jamnagar Complex
Year Built: 1999
Location: Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
Size: 6,000 acres
Architect: Not publicly known
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Refinery, crackers, polymerization units, and other processing plants
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Over 1,000 miles of pipelines and 100 million barrels of storage capacity
Type of chemicals created: Ethylene, propylene, benzene, xylenes, and other petrochemicals
Products created from chemicals: Plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and other products
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Fuels, lubricants, and other additives
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Solvents, resins, and other raw materials
Product created from crude oil: Diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and other petroleum products
Local transportation sector: The complex has its own rail and road network, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of transporting its products
Products produced for construction sector: Concrete, steel, and other building materials
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: Millions of tons of fertilizers are produced at the complex each year, helping to boost agricultural productivity in India
Tax revenue generated: The complex generates billions of dollars in tax revenue for the Indian government each year
Amount of money invested in research and development: Reliance Industries has invested heavily in research and development at the Jamnagar Complex, and it is constantly looking for new ways to improve its products and processes.
in Zhejiang, China. This complex was awarded the "Best Petrochemical Project" by the Chinese Chemical Industry Association (CCIA) in 2012. It is one of the largest and most advanced petrochemical complexes in China and has a production capacity of over 12 million tons per year. The Ningbo Complex produces a wide range of petrochemical products, including ethylene, propylene, benzene, and xylenes.
Name: Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company Ningbo Complex
Year Built: 1984
Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Size: 12 million tons per year
Architect: Not publicly known
Type of Petrochemical facilities: Ethylene, propylene, benzene, and xylenes
Type of network of pipelines and storage tanks: Extensive network of pipelines and storage tanks
Type of chemicals created: Ethylene, propylene, benzene, and xylenes
Products created from chemicals: A wide range of products, including plastics, fibers, resins, and fertilizers
Products created from chemicals for the transportation sector: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and lubricants
Products created from chemicals for the manufacturing sector: Plastics, fibers, resins, and chemicals
Product created from crude oil: Fuel oil
Local transportation sector: The complex has its own dedicated port and railway line
Products produced for construction sector: A variety of products, including cement, steel, and glass
Amount of fertilizers created for the agricultural sector: Millions of tons per year
Tax revenue generated: Hundreds of millions of dollars per year
Amount of money invested in research and development: Billions of dollars over the past decade