In July 2019, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) announced a significant addition to the Orange, Texas, region — an $8.5 billion integrated polymers facility project called the Golden Triangle Polymers Company.
CPChem’s $8.5B project to inject more life into Gulf Coast region
From left are Steven Prusak with CPChem and Jeremy Osterberger with BIC Magazine conducting a behind-the-scenes interview during the 2023 Gulf Coast Industry Forum.
The sizable undertaking is a partnership between CPChem and its long-term collaborator, QatarEnergy.
"We’ve been collaborators on projects for coming up on three decades now, and we like to think that our companies have a proven track record of safe and reliable operations together," said Steven Prusak, senior VP of Planning and Technology with CPChem.
Offering an overview of the project at the 2023 Gulf Coast Industry Forum, in Pasadena, Texas, Prusak said CPChem would not only manage the EPC for the project, but would also operate the facility upon startup.
"We expect to reach peak construction in the latter part of 2024 and into 2025," Prusak said. "At peak, we will have about 4,500 construction workers onsite."
The facility aims to begin operation in 2026, with 26-year industry veteran Chad Jennings named as the facility’s initial plant manager.
"Chad will have the honor of bringing 300 new permanent employees to join the CPChem family," Prusak said.
Once operational, the facility’s ethane and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) capacity will be over 2 million mt/yr. The plant will feature two HDPE units, Prusak explained.
"As the world’s population continues to grow and the middle class expands, we expect strong demand of our products from this project — the primary product being polyethylene," he continued. "It’s a material the world relies upon."
In addition to the many everyday uses Prusak listed, he also said polyethylene is used in a range of applications and lightweight materials that would ultimately play a part in a lower carbon future.
Prusak emphasized that how CPChem makes its products is "just as important as our products, themselves."
"Sustainability strategy is based on three pillars: climate change, product sustainability and circularity and social responsibility," he said. "These pillars will also help drive the development of the Golden Triangle polymers sustainability efforts."
The project, Prusak said, will address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and emissions intensity, investing in renewable energy and improving climate risk resilience.
In terms of product sustainability and circularity, he said, the project will aid in the advancement of circular products, reduce its products’ carbon footprint and join in the effort to eliminate plastic waste into the environment.
The project is also dedicated to living up to social responsibility by doing its part to protect human rights, prioritizing health, safety and well-being and increasing economic prosperity through its products and actions.
Ultimately, Prusak said, CPChem remains proactively engaged in education, empowerment, advocacy and reporting to contribute to the well-being of its neighbors and the greater community it serves.
"We really are very much invested in the welfare of the communities we operate in," he said.
Prusak reminded conference delegates that CPChem’s "tagline" is "Performance by design — caring by choice."
"When you couple that with our core values which are safety, respect, integrity and drive, we really think that captures the essence of who we are," Prusak concluded. "We intend to bring that to this project, as well."
