Ethylene

Definition: A “cracker” breaks down large molecules from oil and natural gas into smaller ones. An ethylene “cracker” produces base petrochemical “building blocks” which are the first stage in the chemicals manufacturing chain. Comments: Natural gas companies have to remove Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) from methane to make it “pipeline quality.” NGLs are made up of ethane, […]

 “Downstream” covers all the chain of transformations of the oil or gas after the transportation (Midstream). It begins with the refining and it continues with all the cracking operations of the petrochemical industry to produce all the chain of chemical products (Ethylene, Polyethylene, Propylene, Polypropylene, etc…) Comments: By comparison with the “Upstream” (Exploration & Production) […]