Commissioning Methanex’s new plant in Louisiana could be delayed through summer

By Medicine Hat News on February 21, 2024.

@MedicineHatNews

Methanex says commissioning of its new methanol plant in Louisiana could be delayed until late summer after damage was found during the startup of the 1.8-million tonne methanol plant.

The Vancouver-based company, which has a major plant in Medicine Hat, announced Tuesday that during the late-stage startup of the Geismar 3 plant, officials initiated a shutdown and discovered “significant damage to a large number of supporting refractory bricks” in the auto-thermal reformer.

Time required to source and install the specialty material could delay commercial production until the late third quarter.

“Management believes that this issue relates to complications in the initial start-up process and is not a plant design or construction issue,” reads a release that adds new costs should not take the project above the estimated US$1.30-billion budget.

CEO and president Rich Sumner said the company is working hard to correct the problem and ensure a safe startup of the plant.

“We are disappointed by this delay, and we are actively working with our critical suppliers to expedite delivery to facilitate the start-up of G3,” he stated.

8
-7