The unit, which has a nameplate capacity of 750,000 tons of MEG per annum, started up as initially planned, according to Shell.
The Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex also includes a new 800,000-tons-per-annum ethylene cracker, a butadiene plant and modifications to Shell's Bukom refinery, which are planned to start up in early 2010, according to the company.
"The commissioning of the MEG plant is a significant step towards the completion in early 2010 of the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex in Singapore (SEPC)," said Mark Williams, Shell downstream director. "SEPC is our largest investment in Singapore and our largest petrochemicals investment to date, reinforcing our intention to continue to grow our Chemicals business selectively and to anticipate the needs of our customers in Asia.
"When SEPC is fully operational, it will be our biggest, fully integrated refinery and petrochemicals hub, from which we will enjoy economic and efficiency benefits in terms of feedstocks, operations and logistics."
The new plant is on Jurong Island in Singapore, "an ideal location to serve Asian customers from within the region," according to the company.
