Shell piles in at Singapore petchem complex

London – Shell has officially launched the start of a new construction phase of the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC) as the first piles were driven into the ground on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island.

Construction of SEPC began in late October last year and remains on target for start-up in 2009/2010. When complete, the complex will include a new 800 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), world-scale ethylene cracker and a 750 ktpa mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) plant. The project scope also includes modifications and additions to the Bukom Refinery.

The project now moves in to an intensive construction phase, which at its peak will require the services of between 6,000 and 8,000 people. The project represents Shell's largest-ever chemical investment in Singapore.