Texas [US]: QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) have broken ground on the Golden Triangle Polymers Plant in Orange County, Texas. This pioneering $8.5 billion petrochemical facility will be one of the world's largest upon completion. Construction has officially begun and is set to bring remarkable economic opportunity to the city and surrounding areas.
On behalf of HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Ahmad Saeed Al Amoodi, Executive Vice President of Surface Development & Sustainability at QatarEnergy, delivered remarks "For over two decades, we have worked hand in hand with Chevron Phillips Chemical to satisfy the growing demand for innovative petrochemical products, which not only constitute a significant portion of our daily lives, but also play a role in shaping how we live. In this partnership, we are also working together to enable balanced growth and to facilitate human development in a responsible and sustainable manner."
Al Amoodi stressed the local impact of the recently opened facility, emphasizing the positive benefits it will have in the area "The Orange community is a direct beneficiary of this strategic partnership. We are investing $8.5 billion to build this world-scale facility, which is QatarEnergy's second largest investment in the US after the more than $11 billion investment in the Golden Pass LNG production and export facility, which is currently under construction about 35 miles from here in Sabine Pass, Texas. This plant will also be, by far, the most significant economic investment in the Orange community in decades, creating jobs and supporting economic growth."
Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Manager Craig Lemons expressed his excitement over the Golden Triangle Polymers project in a statement showing his enthusiasm for the potential transformation it will bring to Orange County. The project is also a continuation of Chevron Phillips Chemical’s two-decade partnership with QatarEnergy.
"I actually had the opportunity to work in Qatar from 2001 to 2009. It was great. We are excited to be partnered up with QatarEnergy again to bring products that the world needs both from the Golden Triangle of Texas and from Qatar to the world," he added.
The partnership between QatarEnergy and CPChem in Orange County is proving to be important for the community. Judge John Gothia of Orange County has stated that this collaboration will provide job opportunities and support numerous families in the state.
The judge from Orange County saw the ground-breaking of the project as a great opportunity for Orange County and the United States as a whole, embracing its presence. "We are proud to be chosen as the site for this new location. We want to support it in any way we can. We are excited to have you all here," he added.
Chevron Phillips Chemical's Bruce Chinn, Phillips 66's Mark Lashier, and several local officials all attended the landmark event hosted by Senior QatarEnergy Executives.
Golden Triangle Polymers Company LLC, a joint venture in which QatarEnergy holds 49% equity interest, is constructing the world's largest ethylene cracker unit and two high-density Polyethylene units. Located about 180 kilometres east of Houston, the plant is forecast to become operational by 2026. The ethylene cracker will have a capacity of 2.08 million tons per annum, while the two high-density Polyethylene units will provide an additional of 2 million tons per annum combined. This ambitious project makes it one of the most advanced petrochemical plants in the world.
