Shell starts production at new petrochemicals unit in US Gulf Coast
Jan 07, 2019
Successful completion of major expansion project makes Shell’s Geismar chemicals manufacturing site the largest producer of alpha olefins in the world.

Shell Chemical LP (Shell) today announced the start of production of the fourth alpha olefins (AO) unit at its Geismar, Louisiana, USA chemical manufacturing site. The 425,000-tonne-per-year capacity expansion brings total AO production at Geismar to more than 1.3 million tonnes per annum. Start-up operations began in December 2018.
Alpha olefins are key ingredients in many finished products that people use and enjoy every day, including laundry detergents, motor oils, and hand soaps.
“Our team delivered this world-class expansion project safely, on time and within budget,” said Graham van’t Hoff, Executive Vice President for Shell’s global chemicals business. “This is a key growth project for Shell’s global chemicals business. Geismar will continue to play a leading role in providing the materials for products that an increasing number of people need and enjoy.”
The new unit strengthens Shell’s leading position in the US Gulf Coast and illustrates the strategic value of its integrated downstream business. The Geismar site is supported with advantaged ethylene feedstock from Shell’s nearby Norco, Louisiana and Deer Park, Texas manufacturing sites, enabling the site to respond to market conditions.
The expansion project contains around 3,570 tonnes of steel, 18,290 metres of concrete and 85 linear kilometres of pipe. Several new pieces of infrastructure were built as part of the expansion, including a new water cooling tower, a significant expansion of the site’s rail loading capabilities, and the repurposing of a previously idled tank farm.
Watch the video of the expansion project
Shell Geismar AO4 Expansion Project | Shell videos in the Americas
Shell Geismar AO4 Expansion Project
Duration: 0:54
Description:
At its Geismar Chemical Plant in South Louisiana, Shell took advantage of the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to execute an expansion project that made the Shell Geismar site the largest alpha olefins producer in the world.
Shell Geismar AO4 Expansion Project Transcript
[Background Music]
Soft but driving background music plays
Time-lapse footage of a large crane raising a tower at the Shell Geismar Plant in South Louisiana on a clear, sunny day.
[Text]
How do we at Shell measure success?
The screen shifts to a yellow background with white type over it.
[Text]
Let’s see.
A majestic bird’s-eye view of the Geismar facility in the foreground, with green pastures and rolling hills in the background.
[Text]
Invested in a project that made our Geismar site the world’s largest Alpha Olefins producer
A checkbox graphic appears to show the investment was a success.
[Text]
Hired thousands of local contractors…
A group of workers wearing hardhats smile, satisfied with the job. A checkbox graphic appears to reinforce that people were hired locally.
[Text]
and made sure they all went home safe.
More video of different workers looking satisfied on the job site. Another checkbox of success.
[Text]
Completed work on time and on budget
Time-lapse footage of elements of the construction taking place. Big portions of the new plant are put into place. A worker uses a tablet device to inspect the system in 3D modeling. A final checkbox to show success once again that the project was on time and on budget.
Transition to a yellow background with white type.
[Text]
That means Shell can make more Alpha Olefins, the key ingredient for many everyday products.
A person washes her hands at a bathroom sink. We see a hand soap dispenser in the background.
[Text]
These include hand soaps,
Three scented candles flicker in a soothing environment, visually accented by a lavender flower.
[Text]
scented wax candles,
Tight shot of a washing machine with a clear door, with the clothes spinning inside as detergent suds clean them and infuse them with nice scents.
[Text]
and laundry detergent.
Transition to a yellow background with white type.
[Text]
So…pretty successful.
A rising shot of the Geismar plant, with the expansion complete. The sky is blue and the future is bright.
[Text]
The Geismar AO4 Expansion
Transition to a yellow background with white type.
[Text]
Good for people who love clean hands, clean clothes and nice smells.
Close card with pecten and mnemonic.
Enquiries:
Shell Media Relations
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Notes to Editors
- Shell started main construction on the fourth AO unit at Geismar in 2016, after taking a final investment decision in November 2015.
- The new unit utilises Shell’s advantaged technology, known as the Shell Higher Olefins Process (SHOP) technology.
- The expansion emphasised working with local companies. The primary contractor was Turner Industries, which was founded and is headquartered in nearby Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There were more than 2,000 construction workers employed and an additional 20 permanent jobs created.
- The Shell Geismar Chemical Plant is located next to the Mississippi River, about 20 miles south of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is a standalone chemicals manufacturing plant, operated by Shell Chemical LP. The site produces alpha olefins, alcohols, ethoxylates, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycols.
- Shell’s global chemicals business sells more than 18 million metric tons of petrochemicals per year.
- Shell’s world-class integrated refining and chemicals plants are in Asia-Pacific (Singapore), Europe (the Netherlands), and North America (the US Gulf Coast and Canada).
- Shell operates three major petrochemical facilities in the USA at Deer Park, Texas; Norco and Geismar in Louisiana; and additional chemicals manufacturing in Canada at Scotford and Sarnia.
- We draw strength from being part of an integrated energy company; we benefit from shared infrastructures, access to a variety of feedstocks, and deep manufacturing and processing expertise. This gives Shell a competitive advantage over stand-alone chemicals companies.
- For more details, visit www.shell.com/chemicals.
Cautionary Note
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