News & Library
Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex Crosses One-Year Mark With Significant Milestones
31/10/2007
One year since its high-profile groundbreaking by Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and Dr Rob Routs, Shell’s Executive Director Downstream, the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC) project – Shell’s largest single investment in Asia to-date – is firmly on track with several noteworthy milestones.
Since October 2006, the project work sites on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island have been abuzz with a high-level of activity involving many government agencies and Shell-appointed contractors.
Pieter Eijsberg, general manager of SEPC, said: “The project is on schedule for start-up in 2009/2010. Temporary facilities, including offices and infrastructure, have been constructed; civil works have accelerated with piling now approaching full capacity, and civil foundation and underground construction are in full swing. The majority of construction contracts have been awarded and the amount of resources mobilised is increasing daily. Contracts with service providers to support the operational phase of the project continue to be concluded.”
Commenting on the quality of delivery through working with organisations such as the JTC Corporation (JTC), Pieter Eijsberg said: “The land between Pulau Ular and Pulau Busing for our ethylene complex was delivered by JTC and its sub-contractors against very strict quality and environmental standards, using the latest methodologies to limit impact on the environment. We saw that as a very positive achievement, and it clearly signalled the start of the quality of work we expect on this project.”
Dick Wynberg, project director of SEPC, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s overall progress: “We are constructing this project in the midst of a busy time in Singapore, which brings with it challenges in securing resources and equipment. We are very happy to have committed contracts to a large cross-section of more than 50 companies in Singapore, many of which we consider to be among the best construction and services companies here. On the whole, we have been pleased with the quality of work that is being delivered, and will continue to focus on safety and quality. We look forward to tackling the challenges ahead together.”
Piling on the Jurong-side of the construction project will near completion by end November 2007, and main structures will start to be assembled – similar achievements will follow on the ethylene cracker site. On mainland Singapore, the West Coast Ferry Terminal has been re-commissioned as part of logistics requirements to ferry workers smoothly to Bukom island.
Pieter Eijsberg added: “Shell remains deeply committed to Singapore. We are working hard to make this project the project-of-choice here, and will take necessary actions to ensure productivity can be maximised. Together with our contractors, we aim to make the SEPC project a resounding success for Shell and for Singapore.”
The SEPC project represents a significant step in Shell’s commitment to delivering a profitable downstream business. The Shell Group is committed to growing chemicals investments in the Asia-Pacific and Middle-East regions, in line with its strategy to grow where the market is growing.
When complete, the facility will include a new world-scale 800,000 tonnes per annum ethylene cracker on Pulau Bukom and a 750,000 tonnes per annum mono-ethylene glycol plant on Jurong Island using Shell’s proprietary technology. The project scope also includes modifications and additions to the Bukom refinery, as well as a butadiene extraction unit on Pulau Bukom with an initial capacity of 155 kilo tonnes per annum.
SEPC Project Milestones
| 27 Jul 2006 | Project final investment (FID) decision announced |
| 20 Oct 2006 | Groundbreaking ceremony by guest-of-honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong |
| 23 Mar 2007 | First piles driven into the ground |
| 10 Apr 2007 | FID for construction of new butadiene extraction unit announced |
For further information or to download photos please refer to the Shell Chemicals website: http://www.shellchemicals.com/
Media Enquiries:
Shell Singapore Media Relations: Oh Yam Chew, +65 6384 8943. yam-chew.oh@shell.com
Shell Chemicals: Bianca Ruakere, +44 207 934 4506. bianca.ruakere@shell.com
Media Relations: Alex Wright, +44 207 934 3277. alexandra.wright@shell.com
Notes to Editors:
*Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex is not a business unit.
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