The linear-low density polyethylene unit of Sasol’s Lake Charles Chemicals Project is mechanically complete, and mechanical completion of the cracker is imminent, a company spokesman tells ICIS.
The overall project had reached 91% completion, with engineering and procurement substantially complete and construction at 75%, by the end of September, the petrochemical market information provider reports. At that time, capital expenditure on the project amounted to $10.4 billion.
The LCCP project includes a 1.5 million tons-per-year ethane cracker, and downstream units of 470,000 tons per year of LLDPE, 420,000 tons per year low-density polyethylene and 300,000 tons per year of ethylene oxide (EO).
Commissioning activities for the LLDPE capacity are underway, ICIS reports, with beneficial operations expected before the end of December. Beneficial operation of the cracker is expected in early 2019—just weeks after its mechanical completion. Operations of the EO and LDPE units will follow.
