As part of a working visit to the Atyrau Region, Askhat Khassenov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC KazMunayGas, visited the construction site of the Silleno polyethylene plant with a production capacity of 1.25 million tonnes per year.
Construction is currently underway across the pyrolysis, polymerization, utilities, infrastructure and offsite facilities. The ongoing works include the construction of buildings and structures, installation of utility networks, and erection of process equipment.
At the pyrolysis unit, where ethylene — the main feedstock for polyethylene production — will be produced, works are continuing on foundations for buildings, equipment and pipe racks, as well as structural steel erection and prefabrication of process piping.
The first large-scale process equipment has been installed in its design position — a 101.8-metre ethylene fractionator manufactured in Kazakhstan at the AtyrauNefteMash plant. Installation of furnaces and cryogenic storage tanks is also ongoing.
At the same time, a logistics operation is underway to deliver five pieces of oversized equipment with a total weight of 1,600 tonnes. These include a cold box weighing approximately 700 tonnes and measuring 12.6 metres in width, designed for deep cooling of pyrolysis gas as well as heat and cold recovery from process streams. It is the widest cargo transported as part of the project. Special multi-axle transporters are being used to safely distribute the load during the transportation of heavy and oversized equipment.
Piling and foundation works are underway at the polymerization unit and offsite and utility facilities.
Overall project progress has exceeded 40%, with construction proceeding in line with the approved schedule. More than 5,000 personnel and over 500 units of specialized equipment have been mobilized at the site.
Particular attention is being paid to the development of local content. Around 40 Kazakhstani companies are involved in the major petrochemical project, with the total value of awarded contracts exceeding USD 1.2 billion. Local companies are engaged at all stages of project implementation — from engineering and the manufacture of equipment and materials to construction and installation works.
