Shell withdraws from Texan C4 company, Sabina

ERJ staff report (DS)

Port Arthur, Texas -- The shareholders have announced that Shell is to withdraw from Sabina Petrochemicals LLC, a joint venture company that operates one of the world's largest C4 complexes, which is located in Port Arthur, Texas.

BASF Corporation and Total Petrochemicals USA, Inc., (TPI) said that Shell Chemical LP, will exit the joint venture, effective Aug. 1, 2011. As of this date, BASF and Total Petrochemicals will be the sole partners in Sabina with 60:40 ownership shares. BASF will continue to operate the Sabina plants. The terms of the agreement are confidential.

"The change in ownership of the Sabina joint venture marks a milestone in its seven year history," said Heidi Alderman, Senior Vice President, Petrochemicals, BASF Corporation. "BASF and TPI remain firmly committed to the Port Arthur site and plan to continue to invest in the site to optimise production capacity."

The Sabina Petrochemicals LLC C4 complex, adjacent to the BASF FINA Petrochemicals Limited Partnership's steam cracker and Total Petrochemicals USA's Port Arthur refinery, began operating in 2004. The facility consists of two plants: the world's largest single train butadiene extraction unit and an indirect alkylation unit.

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Press release from BASF and Total