Production of petrochemicals in the US fell to 46.2 billion lb in third-quarter 2005, according to a survey from the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association.Total production of 15 petrochemicals, surveyed by VERIS Consulting LLC, decreased 15% compared with the third-quarter 2004 production of 54.3 billion lb and decreased 9% compared with second-quarter 2005 production of 50.6 billion lb.
Total third-quarter 2005 inventories of six major petrochemicals were 4.2 billion lb, according to NPRA. This figure represents an increase of 22% from third-quarter 2004 inventories of 3.4 billion lb and is flat with second-quarter 2005 inventories for reportable petrochemicals.
According to the report, production of 15 of the petrochemicals surveyed and reportable decreased, while inventories of two of the six petrochemicals surveyed and reportable increased since second-quarter 2005.
The petrochemicals surveyed include ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, mixed xylenes, and the largest volume of first and, in some cases, second derivatives of these petrochemicals.
Because of disruptions in US Gulf Coast producing facilities due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, third-quarter 2005 production and inventory statistics were unobtainable from some participants, according to VERIS. VERIS expects to adjust third-quarter data in the fourth-quarter report.
