Trinidad and Tobago ethylene project studied

Westlake Chemical Corp. and the government of Trinidad and Tobago have signed a memorandum of understanding for Westlake to build a $1.5 billion ethane-based ethylene, polyethylene, and derivatives complex.

April 25, 2006

Curtis Williams
OGJ Correspondent

PORT OF SPAIN, Apr. 25 -- Westlake Chemical Corp. and the government of Trinidad and Tobago have signed a memorandum of understanding for Westlake to build a $1.5 billion ethane-based ethylene, polyethylene, and derivatives complex.

The facility would produce 570,000 tonnes/year of ethylene from 37,500 b/d of ethane supplied by National Gas Co. of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd., which is participating in project evaluation along with National Energy Corp. of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd.

Trinidad and Tobago has expressed an interest in becoming a minority shareholder in the project.

The preliminary project schedule calls for construction to start in late 2007 and operations to start in 2010, NGC Pres. Frank Look Kin said.