Gulf petrochemicals projects under construction reflect producer concerns about the tightening market for gas feedstock. This makes integration with refineries to provide alternative heavier feedstocks and supplies of intermediate products for specialty chemicals feedstock all the more important.

The transition away from ethane feedstock can be seen most clearly in differences between Abu Dhabi’s Borouge 3 polyolefins expansion, due onstream this year, and Saudi Arabia’s giant Sadara and Petro Rabigh-2 complexes, due to start up in 2016. (CONTINUED - 431 WORDS)