ExxonMobil plans third cogen plant in Singapore

[SINGAPORE] ExxonMobil (EM) is planning to build a third co-generation (cogen) plant in Singapore - its biggest manufacturing site worldwide with well over US$11 billion in plant investments - to help it meet its in-house needs for utilities like power and steam. This was disclosed by the energy giant at its annual investment analysts' meeting at the New York Stock Exchange last week.

This follows its recent addition of a 220-megawatt plant here (comprising two cogen units of 110 megawatts each) which was part of its massive US$5-6 billion investment in a second petrochemical complex on Jurong Island. This raised its total cogen capacity here to 360 MW of power and 1,650 tonnes per hour of steam - significantly up from an earlier 140 MW cogen facility. EM senior vice-president, Mike Dolan, said at the NYSE briefing that the company was now "progressing plans" for its next co-generation project at its Singapore complex.

While its two current cogen investments supply utilities to EM's main integrated site here, comprising a refinery and two petrochemical complexes on Jurong Island, BT understands that the planned third cogen facility will be planted on the mainland to cater to its Pioneer Road refinery in Jurong. This was the former Mobil refinery in Jurong which became part of the EM operations following the merger of Exxon (on Pulau Ayer Chawan) with Mobil in 1999.