ExxonMobil has announced it is looking at multiple different locations in the hopes that it will find a home for its next global-scale chemical manufacturing facility. On the list of possible locations for the polyethylene plant is the north side of Calhoun òòò½ÊÓƵ.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThis potential project is still in the early stages of development,òòò½ÊÓƵ Steve Markovich, community manager for the Coastal Plain Project, said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t expect to make a final investment decision sometime in 2027.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The Coastal Plain Project would produce ethyleneòòò½ÊÓƵ”a colorless, flammable gas with a sweet odor and tasteòòò½ÊÓƵ”that is used in many industrial and consumer products, including plastics, solvents, and refrigerants; and polyethylene, a plastic that is made from long chains of ethylene monomers.
Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic in the world and is used in healthcare, food preservation, construction and agriculture. The demand for it is continuing to grow faster than the global economy according to ExxonMobil.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThis plant would be one of the most competitive facilities in our fleet,òòò½ÊÓƵ Markovich said.
This potential project would create hundreds of jobs, not including the thousands of skilled construction jobs it would require to build the facility. ExxonMobil boasts that this potential project would offer competitive wages and valuable career opportunities in the Crossroads area.
Peak construction workforce for the plant would number well over 3,000 people per day. Daily operations at the plant would create around 600 high-paying positions consisting of 300 employees and 300 contractors.
The natural oil and gas company is looking to tap into a pool of new workers in Victoria and is looking to Victoria College to help pad its workforce.
The company would potentially invest around approximately $10 billion into this project, and it could generate millions of dollars in overall economic impact. It could also produce millions of dollars in increased tax revenues for Calhoun òòò½ÊÓƵ and the State of Texas.
ExxonMobil considers this region a benefit for multiple reasons, including its close proximity to Texasòòò½ÊÓƵ™ natural gas liquids, the availability of experienced workforce, a well-developed infrastructure and logistics, including a deep-water port.
Should ExxonMobil choose to move into Calhoun òòò½ÊÓƵ, the chemical manufacturing facility would tap into the ERCOT power grid and create its own transportation infrastructure. One potential issue could be finding a clean water source solution.
If the company were left with no other alternative than to undergo a desalination process for their water supply, the company would more than likely look elsewhere for their newest chemical manufacturing facility.
Markovich stresses that ExxonMobil is looking to invest in the community and build strong community partnerships. The companyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s good neighbor initiative is designed to implement sustainable programs based on local needs. It would invest in programs that give back to the community, protect the environment and respond to the needs of the community to make a positive impact.
The Coastal Plain Project is still in the early stages of development. The company is in the midst of studying site feasibility, transportation access, market potential and financial consideration.
ExxonMobil is looking to make a final investment decision sometime in 2027 a decision that is subject to stakeholder support, regulatory permitting and market conditions.
Should ExxonMobil select Calhoun òòò½ÊÓƵ for the Coastal Plain Project, the company hopes to begin hiring operators in late 2027 would look to begin operations in 2031.
To learn more about the project or to submit questions or inquires, please visit .
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