Chevron-Phillips venture to upgrade Louisiana styrene monomer plant

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, May 14 -- Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP will modernize and increase production from its styrene monomer plant in St. James, La.

The upgrade of an older styrene monomer unit to bring it up to par with a second unit will increase plant production by 22% to 2.1 billion lb/year.

The project will not interrupt customer supply, said John Kmetz, the plant's technical manager.

Preliminary construction began in February, and work will be completed in the summer of 2002.

James L. Gallogly, President and CEO, said, "This is the first step in Chevron Phillips Chemical Co.'s continued growth plans for the styrene business."

Houston-based Chevron Phillips Chemical is a 50:50 joint venture of Chevron Corp., San Francisco, Calif., and Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, Okla. It has more than $6 billion in assets.