Enterprise Products Co., Houston, and Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., Woodlands, Tex., are engaged in two joint ventures that are studying the feasibility of building two petrochemical plants in the Texas Gulf Coast area.
One of the ventures is with Himont U.S.A., Wilmington, Del., for a propylene plant. The other is with Sun Co. Inc. for a methyl tertiary butyl ether plant.
Preliminary cost estimates are $150 million for the propylene plant and $200 million for the MTBE plant.
In the proposed propylene project, Enterprise and Mitchell each would hold 25% interests, and Himont would own the remaining 50%. Enterprise, Mitchell, and Sun would each own a one-third interest in the MTBE plant.
General plans for propylene call for a 550 million lb/year plant to be built at Mont Belvieu, Tex. All of its production would be purchased by Himont for use in its plastics operations. Enterprise would operate the plant and supply half its propane feed-stock requirements. Mitchell would supply the other half.
The MTBE plant, which also would be built at Mont Belvieu, would be operated by Enterprise. Under the general plan, Enterprise, Mitchell, and Sun each would provide one-third of the plant's isobutane feedstock. Sun would take all of the product, about 12,000 b/d, for use in its refining operations.
If the joint ventures agree to proceed with the projects, construction will begin during first half 1992, aiming for start-up about 2 years later.
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