By an OGJ correspondent
PARIS, Mar. 19 -- Basell Polyolefins Co., a 50:50 joint venture of Shell Chemicals Ltd. and Germany's BASF AG, plans to invest 51 million euros to improve the flexibility and performance of the steamcracker at its Etang-de-Berre site on the French Riviera.
The JV also will increase the processing capacity at the integrated refinery by 20,000-106,000 b/d, said company officials. It will take a year to complete the improvements, officials said.
In 1997, Shell reduced the capacity of that refinery to 86,000 b/d from 140,000 b/d because of overcapacity. Since then, petrochemicals and refining operations have been integrated on the 1,000 hectares site.
