Saudi petchems giant Sabic and US major ExxonMobil have formed a 50:50 JV to develop a petrochemicals project at San Patricio, Texas. The complex will comprise a 1.8mn t/y ethane cracker, producing ethylene feedstock for two polyethylene plants and a monoethylene glycol unit. The cracker will process feedstock recovered from locally-produced shale gas.

Sabic expects the project to start up during 1H 2022. A 1 May Sabic posting on the Saudi Stock Exchange website says the partners have awarded engineering, procurement and construction contracts to two JVs: one groups Japan’s Chiyoda and US firm Kiewit, the other Taiwan’s CTCI and US firm McDermott. (CONTINUED - 293 WORDS)