INEOS marks 10 years of US ethane supply to Grangemouth
- The first Dragon Ship delivered 27,500 m³ of US shale gas ethane to Grangemouth on 28 September 2016.
- More than 400 ethane shipments have been received at Grangemouth since the first delivery.
- INEOS invested $2 billion to establish a transatlantic 'virtual pipeline' linking US shale gas ethane to Europe.
- The fleet will expand to 20 vessels (8 Dragon-class and 12 VLECs) by the end of 2026.
Background
On 28 September 2016 the JS INEOS Insight, the first purpose-built Dragon-class vessel, arrived at Grangemouth carrying 27,500m³ of US shale gas ethane. The shipment was intended to address declining North Sea gas supplies and secure feedstock for the site's petrochemicals business.
Project and investment
INEOS supported the initiative with a $2 billion investment to create a virtual pipeline using specially designed ethane carriers. The programme required construction of specialised vessels, development of new maritime classifications, and the build of what was then Europe's largest ethane storage tank alongside extensive new infrastructure at Grangemouth.
Operational impact
Over the past decade Grangemouth has received more than 400 deliveries, supplying enough liquid ethane to fill over 175 ethane storage tanks — the equivalent of filling an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 23 hours for ten years. The imported ethane has supported ethylene production and helped reduce reliance on natural gas; the site's tenth ethylene furnace was recently commissioned.
Fleet and outlook
The Dragon Ship fleet is cited as central to securing Grangemouth's manufacturing future. The original eight Dragon-class carriers are set to be part of a 20-vessel fleet (8 Dragons and 12 VLECs) by the end of 2026, continuing to underpin the site's competitiveness.
Source: INEOS