Fluctuations in GCC ethylene production encourage refinery-petrochemicals integration

摘要

Global petrochemical production in 2014 totaled approximately 1.5 Bt. The Middle East produced approximately 207 MMt, or 14% of global production, making it one of the highest-producing regions globally. Much of this petrochemical industry is built around the abundant oil and gas reserves of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. A closer examination of ethylene, a key building block, shows just how dramatic the production growth in this sector has been. Much of the capacity is based within Saudi Arabia, which has been the key growth country (FIG. 1).