Saudi ethylene plants move toward more feed flexibility

Journal Article · Mon Sep 10 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Oil and Gas Journal; (USA)

OSTI ID:6442758

Lee, A K.K.; Aitani, A M ^[1]

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1. King Fahd Univ. of Petroleumand Minerals, Dhahran (SA)

Demand for basic petrochemicals, such as propylene, butenes, and aromatics, is increasing in Saudi Arabia. This paper discusses how increased demand for these materials will require a change to heavier feedstocks, such as butanes, naphtha, and gas oil, for the next generation of Saudi Arabian ethylene plants. Changing to heavier ethylene plant feedstocks would also take pressure off of limited ethane supplies in the region. Ethylene production in Saudi Arabia currently has the advantages of low-cost feedstock, cheap energy, and low-cost capital loans. The existing ethylene plants are designed to crack ethane and produce, primarily, ethylene.

• OSTI ID: 6442758
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (USA) Vol. 88:37; ISSN OIGJA; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020500* -- Petroleum-- Products & By-Products
020700 -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
ALKANES
ALKENES
ASIA
BUTANE
CHEMICAL PLANTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL TAR OILS
COST
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
DEMAND
DISTILLATES
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SOURCES
ETHYLENE
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
NAPHTHA
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
PETROLEUM FRACTIONS
PRODUCTION
PYROLYSIS
SAUDI ARABIA
THERMAL CRACKING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES