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Norco Refinery
In 1916, the New Orleans Refining Company purchased 366 acres of cane field from the Good Hope Plantation to establish a marine petroleum supply terminal. That land sale began Shell’s presence in the community. Four years after the initial purchase, the company entered the oil refining business several years later and on May 8, 1920; the first process unit began operations.
Site Profile
About Norco
Shell Chemicals' Norco facility is located in St. Charles Parish. The facility has over 600 full-time employees, more than 160 contractors, and generates an annual payroll of $50 million. The company pays more than $16 million in state and local taxes and $6M is property taxes that help fund public education as well as police and fire departments.
In 2005, Shell spent over 26 million by purchasing goods and services from local vendors and businesses. Shell maintains an employment pledge to St. Charles Parish, with a priority to hiring qualified individuals and contractors from within the region and across Louisiana.
Location and Ownership
Location:
Norco, St. Charles, Louisiana, USA
Nearest Large City: New OrleansOwnership: Chemicals: 100% Shell
Site Details
Shell Chemicals Norco is one of the largest employers in St. Charles Parish. The Norco Community grew up around the facility. Shell Chemicals Norco is actively involved in area schools, the community and emergency response activities. It is the third largest tax payer in the parish with close to million per year in property taxes.
Size (hectares):
405 Size (acres): 1000 Investments: 53 million (Net Book Value) Adjoining sites: Motiva Refinery (integrated into site),
Valero Refinery, Hexion, Dow.
Principal activities: Production of lower olefins (ethylene and propylene), aromatic feedstocks, olefin feedstocks,
History
1916
Site purchased for the New Orleans Refining Company 1920 First unit began operations 1929 Shell purchased Norco 1955 West Site chemical plant was built 1967 OP-1 start up 1976 GO-1 start up 1981 OL-5 start up 1983 OP-1 shut down 1995 Norco Manufacturing Complex splits into Chemical and Refining businesses; purchased St. Rose 2000 Restart OP-1 and integrated it with GO-1 and OL-5 2005 MEK unit shutdown on West Site, subsequent divestiture; Bargaining Units merged Certification/Awards
ISO Certification
ISO Certifications achieved for lower olefins (1993), butadiene, MEK (1995) and High Purity Resins (1996)
Environmental Management System (2003)Awards Governor's Lantern Award, Distinguished Partner Award, NPRA (National Petrochemical and Refiners Association) Safety Awards, Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence, Civic Star Award, US EPA National Partnership for Environmental Priorities Achievement
Main Products Manufactured and/or Stored
Manufactured
Ethylene
Propylene
Butadiene
Aromatic feedstock
Secondary butyl alcohol
Olefin cracker feedstocks
Stored Butadiene, butylenes
Secondary butyl alcohol
Olefin feedstocks
Health, Safety and Environment Information
- Numerous awards relating to Health, Safety and Environment performance, including NPRA Safety Awards and Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
- Participation in Louisiana Chemical Association Safe Program
Plant Capacities
Plant
Capacity
(million lbs/yr; kt/yr)BD-5 (Butadiene Plant no. 5) 613.2 GHT 3272.9
(based on process rate)GO-1 (Gas Olefins Plant no.1) 1408.8 OL-5 (Liquid Olefins Cracker no.5) 1954.4 St. Rose (Olefin Plant Prep. Unit) 5075.1
(based on high value product)
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