South African petrochemical company Sasol said that it expected to restart cracker and downstream units at its Lake Charles Chemical Complex (LCCP) in Louisiana once it can get full electricity supply. Sasol shut LCCP units ahead of Hurricane Laura in late August, but the complex is currently partially energized. Power provider Entergy previously said it expected to fully restore power distribution with industrial-level reliability by early-to-mid October.
Sasol noted that it had completed damage assessments of all production units and associated infrastructure in LCCP. The producer said it only found moderate building damage and wind damage to cooling towers and some insulation. Repair work and debris removal have already been underway. Contractors are working on-site to assess readiness for a restart.
Sasol’s LCCP includes a 1.5 million tons/year cracker, a 470,000 tons/year LLDPE unit, and a 380,000 tons/year EO/MEG unit. A fire damaged a new 420,000 tons/year LDPE plant during a commissioning process in January. Sasol said the LDPE unit did not sustain any significant storm impacts, adding that it had resumed commissioning the plant and expected to start up once power is fully restored at the complex.
Sasol employs more than 800 workers at LCCP. All of them are safe, but many are still in temporary housing as Laura damaged their houses significantly. Sasol is helping its workers with financial assistance, home preservation, and essential supplies. It also supports local authorities and communities in recovery efforts.
