Technip Energies Wins Long Son Petrochemicals Optimization Contract in Vietnam

Technip Energies (PARIS:TE) has been awarded a contract by Long Son Petrochemicals Co., Ltd. (LSP) to execute the Long Son Petrochemicals Enhancement (LSPE) project. The project, located on Long Son Island in Vietnam, focuses on upgrading the existing petrochemical infrastructure to increase feedstock flexibility and reduce the facility’s carbon footprint.

The scope of the contract includes the provision of engineering and procurement services, site assistance, and the supply of proprietary burners specifically designed for the plant’s cracking furnaces.

Feedstock Conversion and Technology

A primary objective of the LSPE project is the conversion of the existing steam cracker from naphtha to ethane feedstock. This transition will be facilitated by the implementation of proprietary ethylene technologies developed by Technip Energies.

The technical implementation includes the use of the Heat-Integrated Rectifier System (HRS®) and the Ultra Selective Conversion (USC®) furnace design. According to the company, these technologies are intended to provide optimized ethylene recovery, enhanced energy efficiency, and high selectivity.

By incorporating large quantities of ethane into the current feedstock mix—which presently consists of naphtha and propane—Long Son Petrochemicals aims to optimize its overall feedstock efficiency.

Strategic and Financial Objectives

The strategic shift toward ethane is intended to deliver several operational and financial advantages for the Vietnam-based complex, including:

• Substantial reduction in operational costs.
• Significant decrease in carbon footprint intensity.
• Strengthened long-term strategic resilience against volatility in global markets.
• Increased supply chain security through feedstock diversification.

The conversion of a naphtha-based steam cracker to ethane is noted as being among the first projects of its kind worldwide in recent years. This reflects a broader trend among forward-looking petrochemical producers to prioritize the adoption of lower-carbon inputs.

The Role of Steam Crackers in Petrochemicals

Steam crackers serve as the central component of petrochemical complexes. They are responsible for transforming hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as ethane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or naphtha, into essential chemical building blocks.

The primary outputs of these processes are propylene and ethylene. These molecules are critical for the manufacture of a wide array of consumer and industrial goods, including textiles, packaging materials, plastics, and various components for consumer products.

Because these crackers are at the heart of the production chain, improvements in feedstock flexibility, such as the enhancements being implemented at Long Son Island, can have a significant impact on the value chain of the entire petrochemical complex.