Enterprise switches process tech for new US PDH plant

Enterprise Products's planned second propane dehydrogenation faciltiy (PDH2) in the Mont Belvieu, Texas, will run on a different technology than the company's first one.

The first PDH runs on the Lummus CATOFIN process technology whereas, for PDH2, Enterprise has licensed Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex technology.

Enterprise and LyondellBasell earlier on Thursday announced that they executed long-term contracts that support and clear the way for the construction of PDH2.

LyondellBasell will be the anchor customer of PDH2, which will have the capacity to consume up to 35,000 bbl/day of propane and produce up to 1.65bn pounds/year of polymer grade propylene (PGP).

The facility is scheduled to begin service in the first half of 2023.

Enterprise already negotiated terms for a fixed-cost engineering, procurement and construction contract with S&B Engineers and Constructors.

LyondellBasell had previously been considering a PDH plant, along with a downstream polypropylene (PP) project, in the US.

Earlier this week, however, CEO Bob Patel said that the company would not be building a PDH project in the US as it will be focusing on capital discipline and phasing in growth projects.