The startup of ExxonMobil's second petrochemical project on Singapore's Jurong Island could be delayed to 2012, a source familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
ExxonMobil began the project on November 6, 2007 and expected to start it up in 2011.
The company was experiencing unexpected difficulties in mechanical and construction works at the complex, the source said.
"We are aiming for the fourth quarter, but we do not know if the complex can be started up this year at all," the source added.
"Some units will begin to start up or come online as they are completed," a spokeswoman for ExxonMobil said Tuesday, replying to queries. "We anticipate mechanical completion and start-up activities of the other new facilities in phases beginning late 2010 through 2011."
The 1 million mt/year steam cracker project includes two 650,000 mt/year polyethylene units, a 450,000 mt/year polypropylene unit, a 300,000 mt/year specialty elastomers unit, an aromatics extraction unit to produce 340,000 mt/year of benzene, a 125,000 mt/year oxo-alcohols unit and an 80,000 mt/year paraxylene unit.
The oxo-alcohols unit started operations in July 2009.
ExxonMobil began the project on November 6, 2007 and expected to start it up in 2011.
The company was experiencing unexpected difficulties in mechanical and construction works at the complex, the source said.
"We are aiming for the fourth quarter, but we do not know if the complex can be started up this year at all," the source added.
"Some units will begin to start up or come online as they are completed," a spokeswoman for ExxonMobil said Tuesday, replying to queries. "We anticipate mechanical completion and start-up activities of the other new facilities in phases beginning late 2010 through 2011."
The 1 million mt/year steam cracker project includes two 650,000 mt/year polyethylene units, a 450,000 mt/year polypropylene unit, a 300,000 mt/year specialty elastomers unit, an aromatics extraction unit to produce 340,000 mt/year of benzene, a 125,000 mt/year oxo-alcohols unit and an 80,000 mt/year paraxylene unit.
The oxo-alcohols unit started operations in July 2009.
