Genscape’s proprietary network of infrared cameras provide clients with unique images of construction progress on expansions and capital improvements in addition to real-time alerts on the ethylene crackers and fractionators.
Recently, Genscape announced activity of Train 5 at Targa’s Cedar Bayou Fractionation complex, which adds 100,000 barrels per day of new fractionation capacity in Mont Belvieu, TX. Initial startup activity was monitored on March 24, 2016. On April 29, 2016 Targa confirmed Train 5 is in startup mode, with full operations expected by the end of the second quarter.
Genscape’s IR cameras on May 3, 2016 showed progress on CP Chem’s 3.3 billion pound per year ethylene cracker at Cedar Bayou, expected up in mid-2017. Genscape’s monitors showed seven stacks erected of the eight planned cracking furnaces. Clients can also see Enterprise Products Partners’ 1.65 billion pound per year Propylene Dehydrogenation Unit (PDH) under construction at the Mont Belvieu complex. This facility is expected to start up in Q2 2017 and will produce propylene from about 35,000 bpd of propane. Genscape plans to expand monitoring coverage to include the new worldscale ethylene crackers under construction at Dow’s Freeport, TX, plant and Exxon’s Baytown, TX, plant. These units will produce a combined 6.6 billion pounds of ethylene per year with expected completion in the second half of 2017.
Last year, Genscape cameras recorded construction progress at Phillips 66’s 100,000 bpd Fractionator One at Sweeny, TX. The fractionator, seen from the cameras monitoring the ChevronPhillips Sweeny 22 ethylene cracker, began initial startup operations on September 26, 2015. According to Phillips 66’s Q2 2015 earnings call, startup was 90 percent complete in August 2015 with expected startup in the fall. However, over the weekend of October 2, 2015 Genscape analysts saw the furnace tower being dismantled. About 10 days later, a spokesman from Phillips 66 confirmed the start would be delayed until the end of Q4 2015. Genscape reported construction of the new furnace beginning December 2, 2015 and the startup was announced six days later by the company.
Genscape's suite of patented in-the-field energy monitors deliver increased transparency into the U.S. Petrochemicals & NGLs markets. To learn more about Genscape's Petrochemical & NGLs Services, please click here.