Ethylene producers ExxonMobil Chemical and Shell Chemical LP have approved new ethylene projects for the Texas Gulf Coast with investments totaling approximately USD 600 million. These investment plans are going forward with the anticipation of increased future demands for ethylene feedstocks supporting the downstream production of plastics and polymers. ExxonMobil Chemical has begun construction of their estimated USD 200 million steam cracking furnace addition designed for ethane and propane feedstocks, at their Baytown, Texas olefins complex. Using Kellogg Brown & Root’s Selective Cracking Optimum REcovery technology, it features an approximately 40% higher capacity than the existing furnace. When completed, this new unit will produce 200,000 metric tpy of ethylene. ExxonMobil will provide process steam and power for this new unit. Shell Chemical LP’s massive OP2D (lower olefins plant debottlenecking) project at Deer Park, Texas is an estimated USD 400 million investment that will increase the sites ethylene capacity by 500,000 metric tpy to 1.3 million metric tpy when completed. The OP2D project will complete the refurbishment and reconditioning of all furnaces (hot side) including upgrades to control systems. Shell is planning to supply this new capacity by pipeline to Geismar, Louisiana for production of higher olefins and detergent development projects plus to a butadiene joint venture with BASF at Port Arthur, Texas.