Atlas Methanol Production Plant, Point Lisas, Trinidad and Tobago

A 1.7mtpa methanol plant, said to be the world's largest, was brought on stream during the final quarter of 2004. The plant, which is located at Point Lisas, in Trinidad and Tobago, is owned by Atlas Methanol Company, a jv between Canada's Methanex (63.1%) and BP (36.9%). According to the main contractor Lurgi, the project execution was completed in less than three years.

TECHNOLOGY

The methanol plant is based on MegaMethanol technology, which was developed and supplied by German-based engineering contractor Lurgi. This is said to be the first methanol plant in the world to use this technology. The technology allows for the production of 5,000t/d of methanol compared with conventional plants which produce between 2,000t/d and 2,800t/d. Lurgi claims that its MegaMethanol process gives its clients a clear competitive advantage.

STAINLESS STEEL PIPES

Heavy wall stainless steel welded pipes were supplied for the Atlas Methanol plant by Inoxtech. Based in Italy, the company has been producing stainless steel welded pipes since 1992. Inoxtech provided some of the 4,060t of piping that the methanol production plant required.

ELECTRICAL INSTALATION

The Electrical Division of Trinidad's Hadco supplied electrical components, including transformers and cables. Lezama Electrical Services was appointed as the electrical contractor.

ELECTRONICS AND INSTRUMENTATION

Insertech (Caribbean) Ltd was appointed to provide electronic and instrumentation installation for the air separation plant which was built by Air Products and Chemicals. The unit supplies in excess of 2,800t/d oxygen and 1,000t/d of nitrogen to the methanol plant.