TPC Group Operations Update – 09/11/14
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| September 11, 2014 | |
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Dear Neighbor:
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TPC Group places significant value on the opportunity we have to share information with our neighbors, have open dialogue, and receive feedback to ensure our operations have limited impact on the community where we live, work and raise our families. In the spirit of information sharing, we want to update you on the expansion project we first communicated about in October 2010. At that time, TPC Group notified its neighbors that the Company had applied for an air emissions permit amendment required for a capital expansion project slated for the Houston facility, located on Park Place Boulevard. The permit was received in June 2011 and construction began shortly thereafter. Since then, we have provided regular updates on the project, including construction activity and progress, traffic plans and improvements made along the way. We are pleased to tell you we are nearing construction completion and beginning the commissioning and startup phases of the project. During the course of this project, TPC Group has had up to an additional 970 contractors on site, working more than 2,300,000 man-hours since the beginning of the project, and has achieved a “World Class” TRIR rate of 0.17 in terms of safety performance. Upon completion of the unit, which utilizes best available controls and technology, TPC will serve international demands with the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) and fulfill internal raw material supply needs by producing isobutylene. In early September, we will begin commissioning of the unit and enter into the startup phase. This will require activity that may be visible or audible to those surrounding the facility. Therefore, as our neighbor, we want to make sure you know what to expect during this process. Commissioning activities will continue until the project is ready for start-up. Commissioning verifies that the equipment is installed and functions as it was designed. These activities include verifying that every component functions properly, prepares and tests all of the piping and equipment to ensure its integrity and readiness for service. Detailed procedures are used during commissioning to ensure that the plant is ready for startup. Commissioning activities are scheduled to be complete by early November. Once commissioning is completed, then the startup phase of the project would begin in mid-November. The safety of our neighbors, our employees and the environment is of utmost concern to our Company. The protection of our stakeholders is critical to maintaining the standards of excellence we strive to achieve each day. It is our commitment to be available to you should you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this project. TPC Group will provide courtesy notifications for our neighbors on any plant activities that may directly impact the community as a result of the commissioning and startup of the unit by using the Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) line at 281-476-2237. Additionally, if you have not signed up to receive e-mails from TPC Group, and would like to, please visit TPC Group on line and Join Mailing List.
Sincerely,
Tony Wisenbaker Sara Cronin, APR |
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