Tag: Production

PetroChina has started production at Dukouhe-Qilibei, the last of three major sour gas fields in its high-sulphur Chuandongbei cluster in southwest China. The Dukouhe-Qilibei field’s hydrogen sulphide content reaches up to 17.1%, the highest of any integrated gas field currently in production in China. PetroChina confirmed that commissioning was completed on 30 June, with the Dazhou gas processing plant now running at its full design capacity of 4 million cubic metres per day. The Chuandongbei cluster originally comprised three key sour gas block: Luojiazhai, Tieshanpo, and Dukouhe-Qilibei, and was initially developed under a partnership between Chevron and PetroChina, with Chevron leading the early-phase project development. However, Chevron exited the project in 2020, transferring full control to PetroChina following operational delays and cost challenges. PetroChina says that the completion of Dukouhe-Qilibei solidifies its capabilities in handling high-sulphur content gas fields and marks a significant boost to China’s domestic gas supply, particularly in inland regions with growing industrial demand. n

Northern Nutrients, a manufacturer of enhanced nitrogen sulphur fertilizers, has announced a new ownership structure following an investment by Shell Trading Canada. Shell Trading Canada has invested in expanding Northern Nutrients’ current facility, resulting in the formation of a new joint venture. The expansion will result in a tripling of current capacity of 50,000 t/a to 150,000 t/a of sulphur-based fertilizers. The company’s facility near Saskatoon produces enhanced nitrogen sulphur fertilizers using Shell Thiogro technology. Their flagship product, Arctic S, is 11% nitrogen and 75% micronised elemental sulphur. Northern Nutrients says that its collaboration with Shell underscores their shared dedication to providing retailers and farmers with high-quality and efficient fertilizers and meet the growing demand for innovative fertilizer products.

The S.A. Nyyazov Chemical Plant in Turkmenabat produced 115,850 tonnes of sulfuric acid during the first five months of this year, according to local press reports. The plant also produced 11,297 tonnes of mineral fertilizers over the same period, including 5,227 tonnes of nitrogen-based and 6,070 tonnes of phosphorus-based fertilizers. The Turkmenistan government recently approved the construction of a new plant at the facility to produce 350,000 t/a of superphosphate and 100,000 t/a of ammonium sulphate. South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. has been awarded the EPC contract for the plant.

Caitlyn India Pvt Ltd (CIPL) has announced a $46 million investment to build a 50,000 t/a phosphoric acid plant in India. The plant aims to reduce import dependence and boost the country’s fertiliser self-sufficiency. Commissioning is planned for the financial year 2027. The facility, to be set up in a port-accessible industrial zone in southern India, will use hemihydrate-dihydrate technology to produce high purity phosphoric acid and cleaner gypsum by-products. A captive sulphuric acid unit will also be included to support efficient operations. Initially, the acid produced will supply Indian fertiliser manufacturers, with plans for captive use in future fertiliser production.

Titanium dioxide is one of the major chemical uses for sulphuric acid outside of phosphate and metals processing, and sulphate route plants remain concentrated in China.

Fertilizer International interviews Joe Brady, Pursell's Chief Financial Officer, ahead of the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference in Nashville in mid-July.

OCP Group subsidiary OCP Nutricrops has announced a major investment to expand its phosphate fertilizer production capacity by nine million tonnes by 2028.

Adani Group subsidiary Kutch Copper has commenced operations at its new Mundra copper refinery and smelter, the company announced on 28 March. The company previously indicated an expected start-up by the end of Q1. The new smelter will help boost domestic supplies of copper, demand for which is robust from the construction, transport and power sectors in particular and likely to double by 2030, with the shift towards clean energy and electric vehicles. This first phase of the project will have around 500,000 t/a copper capacity, with a similar capacity planned to be added in the second phase by 2029.

It is reported that Tongling Nonferrous is planning production cuts this year given current record low treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs). CRU estimates that the company’s potential cutbacks will total 67,000 tonnes of copper for the year. However, the start-up of the Jinguan II and Chifeng Jinjian II projects could offset the reduction in concentrate demand at operational smelters. Tongling Nonferrous owns five operational smelters/refineries with a total of 1.28 million t/a blister capacity and 1.73 million t/a refined capacity, respectively. It is understood that the Chifeng Jintong 220,000 t/a smelter has cut operating rates by 10% since early March due to concentrate tightness.

Indonesia has become the epicentre of the world nickel industry, and is now seeking to raise royalty rates to capture more value from this. Will this impact upon the continuing expansion of HPAL capacity there?