By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 18 -- Total first quarter 2005 production of 15 US petrochemicals dropped 4% from fourth quarter 2004 but rose 13% over first quarter 2004, according to a survey conducted by VERIS Consulting LLC, Reston, Va., for the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA).
Output of the petrochemicals surveyed in first quarter 2005 totaled 52.8 billion lb, compared with first quarter 2004 production of 46.8 billion lb and fourth quarter 2004 production of 55.0 billion lb of the same chemicals.
The petrochemicals surveyed include ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, mixed xylenes, and the largest volume first and, in some cases, second derivatives.
Inventories the six petrochemicals reportable was 3.9 billion lb in the first quarter of 2005, compared with 3.2 billion lb in last year's first quarter and 4.0 billion lb in the fourth quarter of 2004.
