Tierra Del Fuego Power & Chemical Co. Ltd. – a joint venture formed by China-based Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co. Ltd., Shaanxi Xinyida Investment Ltd., and Jinduicheng Molybdenum Group Co., Ltd. – plans to build a new ammonia plant in Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina. The deal marks the first overseas project investment for the jv and the largest Chinese investment in Argentina.
Houston-based KBR has been tabbed to provide licensing and process design for the plant. KBR says it will license its conventional ammonia technology for the anticipated 1,500 mt/d plant, which will utilize the country’s natural gas resources. Work on the project is expected to begin as early as July 2010.
Tierra Del Fuego, which is Spanish for “Land of Fire,” is an island province separated from the rest of the country by the Strait of Magellan. The main island is divided between Argentina and Chile. The province is noted for its plentiful natural gas supply and tax incentives. As a result, more industrial development has occurred in the province in recent years.
“KBR is well-positioned to assist Tierra Del Fuego with this project because of our expertise and track record of service in ammonia production,” said Tim Challand, KBR Technology president. “This is our first ammonia project in the region, and we look forward to providing our services to this grass-roots project and having the opportunity to expand KBR’s global ammonia portfolio.”
On June 24, KBR announced that it has been awarded a contract by Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) to provide licensing, basic engineering and extended basic engineering, and technical consulting services for the development of a grassroots ammonia plant in Tres Lagoas, Brazil. Tres Lagoas is in the east-central state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The city is on a rail line and is a transportation hub for the region.
KBR said it will license its KBR Purifier Process?TM ammonia technology for the anticipated 2,200 mt/d plant. Basic engineering services will be provided for the ammonia plant, as well as anticipated urea and urea granulation plants and related offsite utility units. Under the contract, KBR will also provide technical consulting services through the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) phase of the project.
KBR is a global engineering, construction, and services company supporting the energy, hydrocarbon, government services, minerals, civil infrastructure, power, and industrial markets.