Sasol's Lake Charles Plant A Candidate for New Tetramerization Tech

06 Jan 2010 • by Natalie Aster

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced Tuesday that it received a contract from Sasol, an integrated oil, gas and chemical company operating worldwide, to provide basic engineering services for the first commercial installation of Sasol's proprietary tetramerization technology.

Officials did not disclose the contract value.

The initial commercial unit is expected to have a combined capacity for 1-octene and 1-hexene of 100,000 tons per year. The location for the first unit has not been determined, however Sasol's chemical complex, located near Lake Charles, La., is a leading candidate.

The basic engineering phase is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2010. Construction is intended to begin in 2011 with initial production slated for 2013.

In making the announcement, Jacobs Group Vice President Jim Stewart stated, "We are delighted that Sasol has entrusted us with this important project using first-of-a-kind technology. Our participation gives us the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Sasol and allows us to work in partnership to help meet the increasing demand for Sasol's products."

Sasol is the world's largest producer of 1-octene, with a capacity of 196,000 tons per year. Octene is used primarily as a comonomer in the production of high performance linear low-density polyethylene resins, where it imparts a host of specific characteristics such as strength, thinness, elasticity and puncture resistance in products ranging from dense and durable plastic for wire coatings, automotive interiors, raincoats and strong garbage bags to low-density, high-quality shopping bags, cling-wrap film and myriad related consumer plastics. Octene is also utilized in the production of elastomers, acids and alcohols.

Jacobs is one of the world's largest and most diverse providers of technical, professional, and construction services.

Source: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.