Shell Builds Plant in Singapore

Shell has decided to proceed with the construction of a new world-scale ethylene cracker on Singapore's Bukom Island, according to a statement issued by the company Thursday.

The construction of the cracker is scheduled to start later this year and it is expected that the cracker will almost double Singapore's capacity to process ethylene when it turns operational by as early as 2009.

The cracker is part of an integrated refinery and petrochemicals project called Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex, which also includes a new Mono-Ethylene Glycol (MEG) plant, as well as modifications and additions to the Bukom refinery.

The project, expected to cost several billion U.S. dollars, represents Shell's commitment to growing chemicals investments in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, according to the company.