Petrochemicals

Recent developments

Large project awards

Capacity additions continued: MAIRE’s Tecnimont will expand the Ruwais NGL facility under the Rich Gas Development – Phase 3 program, while the SMDC JV signed a LOI for Rovuma LNG Phase 1 onshore midstream. Upstream tie-ins and NGL extraction advanced with TechnipFMC’s flexible-pipe award for the West Hub Tails project and Worley’s EPC for the Heartland Extraction Plant; Algeria moved ahead with the Integrated Phosphate Project Phase 1.

Refining and energy

Refining operations were strong: Petrobras reported a record Refinery Utilization Factor and higher derivative output, while ORLEN commissioned a 42.2 MW solar PV farm at the Mažeikiai refinery to offset about 7% of site power and reported record quarterly profits alongside progress on the New Chemicals project.

Market and strategy

MOL Group noted significantly improved petrochemical margins despite constraints including the Tiszaújváros petrochemicals plant incident. PTT Global Chemical is rebalancing toward specialties, advancing the US ethane import project and Map Ta Phut transformation. Bilfinger’s Q2 showed resilient demand with Chemicals & Petrochemicals outsourcing opportunities, including preheating systems at a Dutch refinery. Trinseo continued restructuring after asset closures and storm-related force majeure at the Tessenderlo polystyrene plant.

Circular and low-carbon

Circular feedstock integration progressed as Viva Energy converted soft-plastics pyrolysis oil at the Geelong Refinery into food-grade polypropylene via ISCC PLUS mass balance. PureCycle began first P&G commercial resin deliveries and targets H2 2026 breakeven at Ironton. Electrofuels advanced with eSAF from the Pathfinder facility allocated to a commercial flight; SOCAR approved a Decarbonization Roadmap and issued Green Bonds.

Feedstock positioning

bp moved to 100% ownership of Block TTDAA 14 (Calypso) to consolidate Trinidad gas supply. China’s shale program advanced, with Shengli Oilfield initiatives and the Shengli Jiyang shale oil national demonstration zone supporting reserve growth and development efficiency.