Integrated use
Located adjacent to OxyChem's Ingleside chemical plant, the IEC is designed to deliver environmental advantages while lowering OxyChem's operating costs.
- Water conservation - As super-chilled LNG is converted back to natural gas, OxyChem will use the cold energy from the conversion process to save two million gallons of water per day now used for cooling systems in its chemical manufacturing process. That is enough water each day to fill a football field-sized swimming pool 5.5 feet deep.
- Energy conservation - Converting LNG to natural gas requires heat generated from burning natural gas. Oxy will use waste heat from OxyChem's existing chemical plant for LNG conversion, saving 16 million cubic feet per day of gas and significantly lowering the terminal's operating costs.
- Air quality - Re-using waste heat instead of burning natural gas in the chemical manufacturing process will reduce the release of 300 tons per year of regulated air emissions while conserving 16,000 Mmbtu/day ($30 MM/yr). That's enough to fuel a 100 MW power plant. San Patricio County is one of the few industrialized areas in the country meeting federal air quality standards. This project should help the county retain its status and eliminate the need for additional controls and costs paid by local industries and citizens.
- Natural Gas Liquids feedstock - The project's design also provides for recovery of high-value liquids from the LNG, including ethane, propane and butane. Not only does this represent added value for the terminal's send-out, it is an important feedstock for the local petrochemical industry. Access to a local feedstock supply will help local chemical manufacturers remain competitive.
The illustration below demonstrates how the terminal becomes part of an integrated business use system to provide flexibility to respond to changing market conditions while yielding resource conservation.
Locating the terminal next to OxyChem's existing chemical and power generation operation allows up to 25 percent of the LNG to be upgraded to higher value uses before leaving the site.
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