LyondellBasell Announces Plans for NGL Fractionation at Corpus Christi

LyondellBasell

announced the signing of agreements with TexStar MidStream Services, LP under which TexStar will install two natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation units adjacent to the Corpus Christi, Texas, plant of LyondellBasell affiliate Equistar Chemicals LP. The fractionation units will be capable of processing a combined 63,000 barrels per day of NGLs produced from the Eagle Ford shale into ethane, propane, butanes and natural gasoline.  Equistar will operate the fractionators for TexStar and will provide various utilities to the facility from its adjacent Corpus Christi olefins facility.  In addition, Equistar will purchase ethane and propane produced from the units under a long-term agreement.  The NGLs will be used as feedstocks for Equistar's olefins unit to produce ethylene and propylene. The fractionators will be located on a 40-acre site owned by Equistar and leased to TexStar.  Construction will commence in April 2013 with startup projected for late 2013.