BHP Petroleum's Methanol Research Project

Publisher Summary BHP Petroleum (BHPP) is in the process of constructing a 164 ton per day Methanol Research Plant (MRP) on the outskirts of Melbourne. The plant is designed to demonstrate and develop the Leading Concept Methanol (LCM) technology of ICI Katalco. The Plant will be the first large scale demonstration of this technology and as such the key focus of activities at the plant will be research and development (R & D). The MRP is part of BHPP's strategy to develop options for the development of Australia's uncommitted gas resources. The objective is to demonstrate and develop the LCM technology onshore to apply the technology to an offshore production environment. Although the MRP is being built primarily for R&D, it has been sized consistent with future scale up to world-scale methanol capacity. The plant capacity is sufficient to supply a major share of Australia's methanol demand, particularly that of the immediate vicinity in Victoria. The plant is scheduled to be commissioned in the third quarter of 1994. The capital cost of the project is approximately $70 million. The plant and associated pipelines are being designed and will be operated to the same high standard of modem world scale methanol plants. An independent comprehensive risk assessment study found that the MRP will pose no significant threat Lo the community outside the plant boundary. Consistent with the need for technology applicable to offshore, there is a significant reduction in gaseous and liquid waste streams compared to existing technology.