Originally posted by Cindyfeh:
Can someone cut and past the delphiforum article here? I have difficulty reading delphiforum webpage as it appeared blank on my computer screen.
Thanks in advance.
Here....
Political Issues - Jurong Island is a FAILURE: S$10 Billion notify me whenever anyone posts in this discussionSubscribe
From: QXP 29/11/2004 13:12
To: ALL 1 of 95
60974.1
Today's Business Times reported that Shell and Exxon-Mobile are considering setting up hydro-cracker plants next to their existing refinery sites; Shell in Pulau Bukom and Exxon-Mobile, next to Esso's original site at Pulau Ayer Chawan which of course have been merged with the other islands to form Jurong Island.
Just base on the above 2 expansion projects, the 2 refineries do not really need to occupy such a large area necessitating the creation of Jurong Island.
It would appear that after the Jurong Island has been completed several years ago, much of the new Island is still empty.
It is obvious that Jurong Island is a FAILURE.
If anyone were to click on the BT link, he would see that much of the land in Jurong Island is still vacant. (Pls note,unless one is a BT subscriber, he cannot access the link between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm.)
If anyone who knows how to copy the illustrated map shown in the link, please copy and paste it in this thread.
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,137231,00.html?
Published November 29, 2004
S'pore in the running for 2 big petrochem plants
Shell to decide on next step by year-end; ExxonMobil in talks on possible 2nd plant
By RONNIE LIM
(SINGAPORE) Singapore may yet secure two new petrochemical crackers worth at least US$1 billion each, not counting multi-million dollar investments in downstream chemical plants.
Shell has said it will decide within a month on the next step towards its planned one million tonne ethylene cracker on Pulau Bukom. And ExxonMobil has started exploratory talks with the authorities for a possible second cracker that could be on a site next to its integrated refinery/petrochemical complex on Jurong Island.
If confirmed, the two new crackers - so called because they break down heavier hydrocarbons into lighter products with higher commercial value - would bring the total number here to five. These would boost capacity for ethylene, a major petrochemical that has wide industrial uses ranging from plastics and synthetic fibres to solvents and paints.
ExxonMobil already operates an 800,000 tonne ethylene plant at the Chawan sector of Jurong Island, while Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore - a 50:50 joint venture between Shell Chemicals and a Japanese consortium led by Sumitomo Chemicals - operates two others with a combined capacity of 1.4 million tonnes of ethylene.
'We will make a decision to move on to the definition phase before the end of this year,' Shell Chemicals executive vice-president Tan Ek Kia told BT recently.
A feasibility study has already been completed, and the 'definition phase' involves more detailed design work, including a more accurate assessment of cost, he said.
While Mr Tan did not say so, this is strong indication that Shell is determined to move on with the project, regardless of whether long-time partner Sumitomo joins in.
Sumitomo, which previously was keen on the project, is studying instead whether to participate in a US$4.3 billion complex at Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco officials have told BT they expect to complete this study by the second quarter of next year.
Mr Tan said Shell's decision on a cracker here won't depend on what rivals like ExxonMobil will do.
Earlier this month, ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive Lee Raymond confirmed industry buzz that Singapore is 'under consideration' as a potential site for expansion to meet strong regional petrochemicals demand, especially from China and India. This is the same reason Shell wants to build another cracker here.
BT understands that as part of groundwork for a possible second cracker, ExxonMobil has had preliminary discussions with the Economic Development Board as well as with Jurong Town Corporation about a site on Jurong Island.
The company's strategy, as Mr Raymond earlier told BT, is to extract the most value-added from each barrel, through better integration of its oil refineries and petrochemical plants.
With this in mind, ExxonMobil is understood to be eyeing a site 'just across the road' from its integrated Chawan complex. This is at Pesek sector, where the company already has an oil tank farm.
Similarly, Shell plans to build its cracker next to its Bukom refinery, to draw on feedstocks there and better integrate operations for cost competitiveness.
Asked to comment, an ExxonMobil spokesman said: 'We can't talk about our forward business plans at this stage.'
Still, 2005 may be the likely decision year for Shell and ExxonMobil for their Singapore projects, BT understands.
By next year, Shell will know whether Sumitomo will join it for a new cracker here, or if not, maybe in downstream plants associated with the complex. 2005 will also be when Shell Chemicals' US$4.3 billion petrochemicals venture in Nanhai, China - its immediate focus - starts up.
