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SPRING 2018

CENTERPOINT ENERGY IS POWERING UP WHAT’S IN STORE FOR DOWDUPONT

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klark.byrd@thefacts.com

Gulf industries are managing the business of constant change

I

It’s exactly that kind of growth that’s triggering changes in supporting industries. CenterPoint Energy is one such business that finds itself in the process of managing changes in order to capably handle the changing and growing needs of its customers.

And when it comes to growth, CenterPoint is looking at the same area BASF looked at 60 years ago: Freeport.

“Freeport has our attention big time at this point,” John Kellum, CenterPoint’s division vice president of high voltage power delivery, told writer Erinn Callahan.

There’s action behind the words as CenterPoint has been working on upgrading transmission lines and building substations in the area to handle larger electric loads needed by Freeport LNG as that company undergoes changes to become an export facility.

Then there’s DowDuPont, which is undergoing one of the largest changes in its 121-year history.

The Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont merger was a means to an end. The merger will end in 2019 as the company spins off into three separate entities, each with a greater focus on the assets they take over.

As you’ll see in this issue of Gulf Coast Giants, our Texas coast industries are hard at work managing the business of change.

f there is one constant in life, it’s change. Times change.

Leadership changes. Industries change. And if we’re fortunate, much of that change will result in beneficial and well-managed growth.

BASF knows all about change. The European chemical company came to Freeport from Germany 60 years ago and partnered with Dow Chemical Co. to create Dow Badische Chemical Co. The partnership ended 20 years later when BASF bought out Dow’s part.

In the time since it’s arrival, BASF has built more plants, has expanded its product line, and has given back to the community with grants and programs to help ensure all boats rise with the tide of its prosperity. As the Freeport site has grown, so too have BASF’s manpower needs. The change that BASF has undergone has helped it become a global leader in the industry.

Klark Byrd 4

GULF COAST GIANTS

SPRING 2018

INSIDEGIANTS 38

18

DowDuPont to split

Last year’s merger between rivals Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont will end in 2019 with a three-company spin-off that will mean changes in leadership and assets.

People Powered

Volunteers from several industrial employers lent a helping hand to Brazoria County Head Start for Read Across America Day.

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BASF celebrates 60 years of growth

From the humble beginnings of a partnership with Dow Chemical Co., BASF has grown to become a global industrial player. The company’s Freeport site is now among the world’s largest superabsorbent polymer plants and nylon facilities.

ON THECOVER PHOTO BY BRIDGETT NORRIS

Chris Witte is BASF vice president and general manager of the company’s Freeport Site. He’s pictured by the company sign, which reads “Celebrating 60 Years.” See the story on page 26.

DIVISIONS Status Report .............................................24 Viewpoint .................................................. 34 In The News ...............................................49

Gulf Coast Giants is produced quarterly

by The Facts, a division of Southern Newspapers, 720 S. Main St., Clute, TX 77531.

Email us: GCGiants@thefacts.com Call us: 979-237-0148 COVERING BRAZORIA COUNTY ★ WHERE TEXAS BEGAN

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Protecting the coast

Industry leaders and Houston officials have thrown their support behind the construction of the “Ike Dike,” a $14 billion system of levees and barriers to protect company shoreline assets.

GIANTSSTAFF

Publisher: Yvonne Mintz Editor: Klark Byrd Writers: Erinn Callahan, Sam Liebl, Maddy McCarty,

Mary Newport

Photographer: Barclay Fernandez Advertising Director:

Cindy Cornette 979-237-0122 or retail@thefacts.com.

Vol. 3, No. 2 • Copyright 2018

No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without written permission of the publisher.

GULF COAST GIANTS

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CELEBRATING COMMUNITY CELEBRATING COMMUNITY

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Communities likelike Brazosport are a part the Olin story the of Communities Brazosport are aa part of Communities like Brazosport are of part of the story andthe theCommunities like Brazosport a part of the Olin story and the Communities like Brazosport are aOlinand part Olin story andarethe reason we are proud to be celebrating 125 years in business.

We thank reason we are proud to be celebrating 125 years in business. We thank reason we are proud to be 125 are yearsproud in business. We thank the Olin story and thecelebrating reason we you for yourare support and in knowing our Olin employees you business. for your support and we take pride in knowing our Olin employees reason we proud totake be celebrating 125 years in We thank you for your support and takewe pride inpride knowing our Olin employees to beand celebrating 125weyears in business.

We contractors are longtime residents of this wonderful community. and contractors are longtime residents of this wonderful community. and contractors are longtime residents of this wonderful community.

Communities like Brazosport are a part of the O you for support and our Olin employees thank youyour for your support andwe wetake take pride in knowing Our people are the strength of our company, and we will all continue toOur people are the strength of our company, and we will all continue to reason we community. are proud to be celebrating 125 years in bu Our people are the strength ofOlin our company, and we will all continue to pride in knowing employees and work hard for theour privilege of operatingresidents here. work hard for the privilege of operating here. and contractors are longtime of this wonderful work hard for the of operating here. of this contractors areprivilege longtime residents you formore your support and we take pride in knowing o Learn about us at Olin.com.

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are longtime residents of this wonde Our people are the strength of our company, and and we contractors will all continue to

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Our people are the strength of our company, and we w work hard for the privilege of operating here. Ž ™ Trademark of Olin Corporation or an affiliated company of Olin

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GULF COAST GIANTS

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SPRING 2018

POWERING INDUSTRY AS CENTERPOINT ENERGY MANAGES TODAY’S GROWTH, IT’S PREPARING FOR FUTURE ELECTRIC NEEDS

Tangible signs of industrial progress are hard to miss in Brazoria County.

Construction often stacks highway traffic in areas once rarely trod and towers dot Quintana’s skyline as Freeport LNG employees make themselves at home on the island. That progress brings a less visible problem: providing utilities to these facilities, most of which require enough electricity to power 200 homes.

GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM

STORY BY ERINN CALLAHAN

GULF COAST GIANTS

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ENERGY

C

enterPoint Energy officials say they are more than up to the challenge of providing for continued industrial growth, even as the electric service provider adds nearly 50,000 customers each year.

“We’ve got a great problem in utilities in terms of having to deal with the growth,” said John Kellum, CenterPoint’s division vice president of high voltage power delivery. “Not many utilities are experiencing the growth that we are.”

Eyes on Freeport While that growth is system-wide, one Brazoria County community in particular has been on CenterPoint’s radar for the last few years, Kellum said in 2017.

“Freeport has our attention big time at this point,” he said. “The price of natural gas is low and it’s stayed low. That’s a feed stock for the industrials that are located here.”

Two years ago, CenterPoint finished the Freeport Area Upgrade Project it started in 2012, before which most transmission lines in the city carried just 69,000 volts — the lowest voltage possible, Kellum said.

CenterPoint crews increased that to 138,000 volts, replacing old wood structures with concrete and steel poles, the vice president said.

Two years after that project kicked off, CenterPoint received a request from Freeport LNG. The company, which operates a liquefied natural gas receiving and

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JONES CREEK SUBSTATION CenterPoint Energy has worked on the Jones Creek Substation to handle the area’s increasing power loads.

regastification terminal, originally built its Quintana terminal to receive liquefied natural gas by ship from overseas. However, the drop in price of domestic natural gas made importing the fuel less necessary, prompting the company to retool as an export facility beginning in 2014.

“Once it’s fully online, their load is estimated at 700 megawatts.

One megawatt equals 200 homes, so if you do the math on that, it’s tremendous,” Kellum said. “We had to start designing how we were going to meet that demand.”

That prompted construction on the Jones Creek Substation Project at the intersection of Highway 288 and Highway 36, which wrapped up last April. The substation knocks the 345,000 volts of electricity from main transmission lines to 138,000 volts for distribution to customer substations Freeport LNG is building to share power to its own plants, Kellum said.

CenterPoint also this year

CENTERPOINT ENERGIZES $285M BRAZOS VALLEY CONNECTION CenterPoint Energy Inc.’s electric utility announced the Brazos Valley Connection project was energized March 29.

The 60-mile, 345-kilovolt electric transmission line is the southern portion of the Houston Import Project. Completed ahead of schedule, the BVC transmission line runs from Grimes County through Waller County, ending in Harris County.

CenterPoint Energy’s total project capital cost is approximately $285 million, in line with the estimated range of approximately $270 million to $310 million in the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ original order regarding the project. The estimated impact to a residential customer within CenterPoint Energy’s service territory using 1,000 kWh per month is less than 20 cents per month.

In 2014, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas identified the Houston Import Project as critical to providing additional transmission capacity to import power into the Houston area by June 2018. The entire project consists of a 130-mile, 345-kV electric transmission line running from Limestone County to Harris County.

SPRING 2018

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ENERGY

CenterPoint Energy photo

“We’ve got a committed load coming in online by 2019 in the neighborhood of 1,300 megawatts ...”

should wrap up an endeavor to upgrade what Kellum calls the Quintana loop, which extends from the Freeport substation to FM 1495.

“We’ve got a transmission line that goes to Quintana and down Quintana Island,” he said. “We’re upgrading that and will increase the size of the conductors so we can transport more capacity to Freeport LNG.”

Future plans All that progress is great, Kellum said, however, industry isn’t exactly standing still in Freeport.

“Again, the feed stock being natural gas, a lot of the petrochemical plants are expanding,” he said. “We’ve got a committed load coming in online by 2019 in the neighborhood of 1,300 megawatts, which is almost twice what Freeport LNG is going to put on the system.”

This prompted the company to propose a $250 million project that will build a 345,000-volt transmission line extending about 40 miles northwest from the Jones Creek Substation to the Bailey Substation

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GULF COAST GIANTS

HURRICANE HARVEY CenterPoint Energy crews work to restore power in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

near El Campo, Kellum said.

“Until we get this new line constructed, it’s difficult to take outages to do maintenance because the industrial load here is 24 hours a day, and it’s not seasonal,” he said. “This new line would enhance our ability to do maintenance.”

CenterPoint officials plan to submit a Certification of Convenience and Necessity application to the state public utility commission in September, Project Manager Steven Fox said in February.

The commission will have one year to make a decision on the project, with construction likely to begin in October 2020 and wrap up in December 2021, if work is approved, Fox said.

Residential reliability CenterPoint evaluates all substations feeding the Brazoria County area on an annual basis to determine if any enhancements need to be made, Service Area Director

ABOUT CENTERPOINT ENERGY

ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION FACTS

2,403,340

Number of metered delivery customers

l 2,129,773

Number of residential customers

l 86.8 MILLION

Megawatt hours delivered in 2014

l 232

Number of substations SOURCE: CENTERPOINT ENERGY DATA AS OF DEC. 31, 2016

SPRING 2018

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Julienne Sugarek said.

“We’ll expect additional growth not just in the Lake Jackson area, but in all the communities that surround it,” said Sugarek, who is responsible for the coverage area extending south of NRG Stadium in Houston to Freeport.

CenterPoint officials also hope to break ground this year on an additional distribution substation in the same footprint as the Jones Creek Substation, pending state approval, Sugarek said.

“That would come online in 2019,” she said. “It would give us additional capacity and some redundancies to be able to switch load in the event we do have an outage.”

From a reliability standpoint, CenterPoint last year began the process of installing Intelligent Grid Switching Devices, which can isolate the location of the service interruption, determine its cause and call for crews to fix the problem, Sugarek said.

“That will help us remotely switch how lines are fed so we can get more customers back on quickly when we do experience an outage,” she said.

CenterPoint Energy commissioned the eight switches installed last year by mid-January, and as of mid-March, the company had successfully installed and commissioned eight more ISGDs in the Lake Jackson and Rosharon areas, said Courtney Truman, service area manager for the Brazosport Service Centers.

“There’s such growth around here and we’re really doing a lot to support it,” Sugarek said.

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GULF COAST GIANTS

CenterPoint Energy photo

HELPING PUERTO RICO CenterPoint Energy trucks and equipment left Louisiana on Jan. 6, headed for Ponce, Puerto Rico. It was a 1,700-mile trip.

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GULF COAST GIANTS

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

DowDuPont split means major 18

GULF COAST GIANTS

SPRING 2018

The Dow Diamond Center in Lake Jackson.

company-wide shakeup is coming GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM PHOTO BY DARRELL TAYLOR

GULF COAST GIANTS STORY

BY SAM LIEBL 19

STATUS REPORT

Although little has changed in Dow’s day-to-day operations since merging with rival DuPont, the company is undergoing perhaps the largest change in 121 years.

In a February speech to the Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce, Dow Vice President of U.S. Gulf Coast Operations and Texas Operations Site Director Rich Wells previewed plans for the future of DowDuPont: In 2019, the megacorporation will split into three companies with impacts to its operations in Texas and Michigan.

Wells has a unique vantage of Dow operations and its upcoming reorganization of assets, having seen both the Michigan and Texas sides of the company. He returned last year to Freeport after working for Dow abroad and in Midland, Michigan, to succeed Earl Shipp in the vice president and site director role. The move coincided with the chemical manufacturer’s union with DuPont.

Wells’ career with Dow began in Freeport when he was hired as a plant engineer in 1982. He worked in the Houston area on and off during the next two decades. In 2004, he transferred to Dow’s home site in Midland and rose to become the site director for Michigan Operations there in 2011. He held that position until last year, when he was hired to take over

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Rich Wells is Dow Chemical Co.’s vice president of U.S. Gulf Coast operations and site director for Texas Operations

Texas Operations.

During his February speech in Clute, Wells said the planned split will leave Midland without any Dow-operated plants. Midland and other Dow sites “are being significantly impacted by the DowDuPont change,” he said, and as a result Texas Operations “are going to get even bigger.”

Dow spokeswoman Gabriella Cone qualified Wells’ statement, saying Dow will continue to be headquartered in Midland, will continue to own the Michigan Operations manufacturing site and will retain silicones plants added

LIVERIS TRANSITIONS OUT OF DOWDUPONT LEADERSHIP ROLE Andrew Liveris has stepped down from his executive chairman role with DowDuPont.

Liveris officially stepped down April 1.

He is succeeded by DowDuPont’s co-lead independent director Jeff Fettig, who will serve as a non-employee executive chairman of the board.

The multinational chemical corporation announced the move March 12. Liveris has said he will retire July 1 and, according to DowDuPont, will continue to serve as a director of the company as the Material Science Division progresses on its succession process.

“Over the last 14 years, we have transformed Dow from a cyclical chemicals manufacturing company into one powered by science, driven by innovation and delivering solutions to the world. We have aggressively invested in R&D and radically transformed our portfolio of businesses while proudly maintaining our commitment to our heritage and values,” Liveris said.

“With that transformation complete and Dow entering into its next phase of growth, now is the right time for me to effect my previously announced plan to transition and then to retire.”

“On behalf of the board, we want to thank Andrew for his outstanding leadership and vision. Dow has achieved record operating results and shareholder value under Andrew’s leadership, which continues as part of the DowDuPont merger,” Fettig said. “Andrew is truly a global CEO in every sense of the term, and his leadership not only at Dow, but across the entire business community, will be felt for decades.”

SPRING 2018

Dow in East End, Midland, Michigan After DowDuPont splits into three companies in 2019, it will continue to be headquartered in Midland, will continue to own the Michigan Operations manufacturing site and will retain silicones plants added as part of the 2016 DowCorning acquisition. But many Michigan Operations plants will be operated by one of the two spinoff companies.

to Michigan Operations in 2016 as part of the DowCorning acquisition.

But many of the Michigan Operations plants will be operated by either the agriculture or specialty products spinoffs of DowDuPont, Wells said.

DowDuPont announced details regarding those spinoffs in late February. The agriculture division will become Corteva Agriscience, and the new company will offer products formerly produced

by Dow and DuPont’s agriculture branches, such as Brevant Seeds, Mycogen, Pioneer, Aproach Prima herbicide and Prima fungicide.

Corteva Agriscience, according to a DowDuPont press release, will be headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, and will control operations that in 2017 brought in $14 billion in revenue.

The specialty products company, on the other hand, will be called DuPont. Fittingly, it also will be headquartered in Wilmington, which has been DuPont’s home since its founding in 1802.

GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM

The future of DowDuPont DowDuPont Inc. formed after the merger of Dow Chemical and DuPont on Aug. 31, 2017. It is the world’s largest chemical company in terms of sales. In 2019, the company will be split into three publicly-traded companies that will focus on the following: agriculture, materials science and specialty products.

Dow Chemical Co.

DuPont

Corteva Agriscience

While those two spinoffs seem to shift much of what was Dow toward DuPont, the largest chunk, in terms of revenue, of the merged company will have a red diamond on it in 2019.

The Material Science Division of DowDuPont is expected to be the first business to separate from the parent company in March 2019, according to a company press release. The revenue of that division was $44 billion in 2017.

All operations under the umbrella of material sciences, including production related to packaging, personal care and infrastructure, will be controlled by a new Dow Chemical Co. in 2019.

This might seem to be a win for Texas Operations, which,

GULF COAST GIANTS

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JIM FITTERLING, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF DOW CHEMICAL CO. Upon DowDuPont’s separation, Fitterling will become CEO of the materials science company, which will be called Dow. Until the completion of the intended split, Fittlering will continue to serve as Dow’s chief operating officer.

with the exception of one agricultural products plant, will continue to be owned and operated by Dow. But the company also is looking to become more efficient in the spinoff process, and that will entail “some level of job losses,” Wells said.

Job cuts are one thing Texas Operations could have in common with its counterpart to the north in the coming months. DowDuPont announced in November it would be cutting jobs as part of a plan to eliminate $3 billion in annual costs. The company increased that savings target to $3.3 billion in February. So far, no large job losses have been announced in Texas or Michigan.

But employment at Dow gained widespread attention in recent weeks when DowDuPont announced in March that Andrew Liveris would no longer be its CEO and that Jim Fitterling would become the new CEO of Dow when it spins off.

Fitterling, a 56-year-old who joined Dow in 1984, is the chief operating officer of DowDuPont’s Material Science Division.

Altogether, the changes underway for Texas Operations will be “very small,” Wells said.

Texas Operations and other U.S. Gulf Coast Dow sites continue to grow jobs and continue with $12 billion investments in the region, Cone said. Six billion dollars have been invested over the past five years — $2 billion have gone to modernization and capacity expansions in the U.S. Gulf Coast and $4 billion in new projects are expected to be invested over the next five years, she said.

As Wells’ speech to the chamber made clear, however, the name changes from “Dow” to “DowDupont” to “Dow” are more than just semantics. The success of three sibling companies as a result of the merger will determine the chemical company’s legacy and future.

22

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STATUS REPORT

FLUOR ALTERS FREEPORT SKYLINE The skyline of Freeport had a new look April 2 as Fluor iron workers, riggers and operators completed the installation of two major structures at Dow’s new polymers manufacturing unit.

Fluor is currently performing mechanical construction on the unit.

Over a two-week period, the Dow and Fluor team safely erected a 280-foottall structure and a 300-foot-tall structure that make up portions of the facility.

The two structures total almost 5,000 tons of steel — the equivalent of 3,000 average-sized cars.

“The success of the lifts and the project is due to the team mentality of everyone on the project,” said Rocky Plemons, vice president of construction and site director for Fluor.

“This team is the best at finding solutions to a challenge and being accountable.

It truly is our people who make the difference.”

The two structures were initially assembled into 12 different components at the

24

OTHER CONSTRUCTION SITES BASF Ammonia Plant Location: Freeport Cost: $600 million On Schedule: Late 2017/Early 2018 Construction jobs: 700 at peak construction New permanent jobs: 35

INEOS OLIGOMER Linear Alpha Olefin Plant Location: Chocolate Bayou Cost: More than $500 million On schedule: 2018 Construction workers: 800 New permanent jobs: 80

FREEPORT LNG site. This pre-assembly phase reduced the schedule from traditional stick-build methods by enabling the components to be assembled simultaneously. In addition, it improved safety by reducing the level of elevated work and minimizing site congestion.

The components were then transported to their final location by self-propelled module transporters, and through 12 lifts, connected together like building blocks.

“I get to work with 500 world-class

GULF COAST GIANTS

construction professionals every day,” Plemons said. “Cam Gay, our construction manager, has set the bar high, held people accountable to expectations and together we are continuing to meet or exceed our goals.”

The project is on schedule for mechanical completion in 2018. Once completed, the facility will manufacture polyolefin elastomers for applications in packaging, transportation, infrastructure and consumer markets.

Gas Liquefaction and LNG Export Facility, Trains 1, 2 and 3 Location: Quintana Cost: $14 billion Construction jobs: 5,000 at peak New permanent jobs: More than 230

MEGLOBAL Monoethylene Glycol Plant Location: Dow Texas OperationsOyster Creek Cost: $1 billion Construction workers: 1,400 New permanent jobs: 50

PRAXAIR Air Separation Unit for Argon, Nitrogen, Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide Location: Freeport Cost: $104 million Construction workers: 70 New permanent jobs: 15 SPRING 2018

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INDUSTRY

60 YEARS LATER

BASF’S FREEPORT SITE AMONG WORLD’S LARGEST SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER PLANTS AND NYLON FACILITIES STORY BY MARY NEWPORT

26

The Freeport Verbund site is the leading producer of basic chemicals, intermediates and fiber products.

Senior production technician Andrea Baker is seen on her way to the highest point of a storage tank.

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INDUSTRY NEXT GENERATION Representatives of Yara and the BASF Executive Leadership Teams take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking July 27, 2015, at BASF in Freeport, marking the start of construction for a new plant that will manufacture ammonia used in the production of polycaprolactam.

File photo

B

adische Anilin-und Soda-Fabrik, better known as BASF, got its start in Germany in 1865 as a dye company. By 1957, it was a leading European chemical company.

But it wasn’t until 60 years ago that BASF first reached U.S. soil — and the place it landed was Freeport.

“It’s about the resources, and by resources we mean proximity to raw materials, proximity to good logistics, proximity to good people. All of those three come together on the Gulf Coast and that’s what brought us all here,” said Chris Witte, vice president and general manager of Freeport site. “You have the ability to bring raw materials in and finished goods out.”

The site started as a joint venture with Dow Chemical Co. in 1958. Dow was already established in the area, a great boon as BASF attempted to expand from Germany. The site ran as the Dow Badische Chemical Co. for 20 years until 1978, when BASF bought Dow’s part of the venture.

Now, as the Freeport site approaches its 60th anniversary,

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it’s one of the six largest BASF sites in existence, Witte said. It’s also among the world’s largest superabsorbent polymer plants and nylon facilities. The Freeport site employs more than 850 employees and almost 850 contractors producing 24 products in 25 plants.

“Through that 60 years, we’ve grown a great partnership with the community and the industry here,” Witte said. “We’ve grown that joint venture into a flagship site for BASF that has a strong, diversified plant portfolio.”

Over the years, Witte said, BASF Freeport has become a player in the globally competitive market. While local needs and local industry remain a focus, national and international trade are too important to ignore. Operations are increasingly driven by global information and fed by digital data so the Freeport site can work in concert with contractors and partners all over

BASF DONATES $50K TO LAKE JACKSON FOR DOG PARK BASF will be the lead sponsor of Lake Jackson’s new community dog park by funding $50,000 of the construction. The 3-acre “BASF Dog Park” will be located behind the Lake Jackson Recreation Center and be open to all dogs and their owners in the greater Brazosport area.

The fully-fenced space will have areas designated for large and small dogs, 14 benches, walking paths, shade pavilions, and splash pads — all among large shade trees. Dogs will be able to enjoy their own drinking fountains and a wash station.

Construction of the BASF Dog Park is began in October, and it is expected to open in the spring.

“The community has shown significant support for this park and we anticipate it being one of our most used facilities upon opening,” said Jeremy Bubnick, director of Lake Jackson Parks and Recreation.

Cindy Suggs, manager of Community and Government Affairs at BASF in Freeport, and Ron Barksdale, Freeport Site Leadership Team member, presented a “symbolic” check to the Lake Jackson City Council during its Feb. 5 meeting, where the official sponsorship and naming of the dog park was approved.

SPRING 2018

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INDUSTRY

the globe.

But that doesn’t mean BASF doesn’t have a grounded local presence. As the Freeport site expanded, so too did the company’s influence on the area. BASF contributes to STEM and STEAM initiatives at local schools and participates in more than 100 annual community events.

Employees volunteer for and sometimes lead groups such as United Way, the American Cancer Society and Junior Achievement.

“We’ve changed the community just by really getting partnered in the community. Our employees live here,” Witte said.

“From the very beginning, it was a strong relationship with the community and we’ve grown that. Together we’ve been able to grow the plant site; it’s two ways.”

That positive reaction, Witte said, is how the company knows it’s doing it right. That’s why BASF focuses its efforts into improving, not just profits and processes, but things such as BASF’s already-stellar safety record, employee diversity and environmental stewardship.

Just in time for it’s 60th anniversary, the site that started as a joint venture will celebrate with another. On April 11, BASF and Norwegian company Yara International will celebrate the opening of their new ammonia plant. BASF will lay claim to about a third of the ammonia produced at the $600 million plant, and will use it mainly to produce polycaprolactam pellets. The venture is Yara’s first foray into the U.S., as history repeats itself on Freeport’s welcoming coast. In Witte’s eyes, there’s no better place for a business.

“We’re proud of our relationship with the community,” Witte said. “We’re proud of our people, whether they’re BASF or the contractors who are out here every day making it a better place to work.”

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BASF THROUGH THE YEARS

On June 24, 2008, contingent from BASF joined Brazosport College officials for a groundbreaking ceremony for the BASF Center for Process Technology, a facility that provides training for future petrochemical plant employees. In celebration of 50 years at its Freeport site, BASF donated $1 million towards construction of the process technology center. Pictured are Art Colwell, Millicent Valek, Sharon Rogers and Serena Andrews.

SPRING 2018

DOW BADISCHE, ORIGINAL 100 BLOCK, EARLY 1960S

CYCLOHEXANONE I UNIT, CIRCA 1960S

FIRST COOLING TOWER, 1961

POLYCAPROLACTAM PLANT, 1966

CAPRO II COMPLEX, 1968

HYDROXYLAMINE 1, EARLY 1960S BASF Photos

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INDUSTRY

SAFETY PROGRAM, 1970S

32

FIRST OXO RAILCAR, 1970

POLY CONTROL ROOM, 1970S

BASF Photos

AMMONIA TERMINAL DEDICATION, 1986

1993 UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN

OXO/SYNGAS EXPANSION, 1997

HDO STARTUP, MAY 2001

BRAZORIA COUNTY FAIR, 2006

AMMONIUM SULFATE CRYSTALLIZER GROUNDBREAKING, JUNE 2007

SAP DEDICATION, OCTOBER 2007

GULF COAST GIANTS

SPRING 2018

Dow Texas Operations is proud to invest and grow in Brazoria County.

78 Thank you for 76 years of business and community success.

We look forward to many more.

www.dow.com

Dow Texas Operations

For more information on our operations, activities and community outreach efforts visit www.facebook.com/DowTexasOperations Dow Facts Gulf Coast Giants 2016.indd 1

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33

VIEWPOINT

Todd Staples President of the Texas Oil and Gas Association and a former Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Tariffs and Trade Agreements Impact U.S. Energy Dominance

A

Increasing line pipe costs by 25 percent, for example, would add $76 million to a typical pipeline project, according to the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. Bigger pipeline projects could cost as much as $300 million more. If we are to continue to meet our energy demands, we need more pipelines and public policies that make it economical to build them. Expanding energy infrastructure is the best way to increase energy reliability and security and to protect our fuel supply in the event of a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey.

Beyond price, the decision to tax imported steel does not seem to consider the issue of availability. Oil and natural gas operators in Texas and across the nation use specialty steel that is not widely available from U.S. steel mills. Only a handful of domestic mills manufacture pipe that is the size and thickness needed for many U.S. pipeline projects.

While tariffs present an obstacle to growth, current negotiations related to the North American Trade Agreement present a tremendous opportunity. As the nation’s top producer of oil and natural gas and the largest border state with Mexico, we have a lot at stake as we work to provide energy resources to our neighbors. NAFTA has served as the essential framework that has allowed all sectors of the Texas oil and natural gas industry to grow and prosper.

As part of the negotiation process, we are hopeful that NAFTA will be made permanent and that provisions are included to keep Mexico’s energy market open to the U.S. It is also

merican energy dominance isn’t just a catchy slogan. It is here and has distinctly been made possible by Texans. Texas leads the nation in oil and natural gas production, pipeline miles and refining capacity, all of which bolster our nation’s energy security. America’s position as a global energy leader — and Texas’ contribution to maintaining that position — are directly impacted by federal policies like trade agreements and tariffs.

Federal initiatives like tax reform and a renewed commitment to science-based regulations encourage expanded oil and natural gas investments and create good jobs for Texans. However, a recent decision to impose federal tariffs on imported steel and aluminum is a step in the wrong direction as we work to cement our energy security and economic growth. Tariffs on imported steel and aluminum will increase costs and threaten jobs across the entire oil and natural gas sector.

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GULF COAST GIANTS

SPRING 2018

VIEWPOINT in America. imperative to maintain the current strong provisions that When the U.S. crossed the threshold of producing enforce fair trade practices that keep our industry com10 million barrels of crude oil a day, 40 percent of that petitive. As American oil and natural gas operators make production came from Texas. America’s crude oil imports massive investments to get products to market, certainty, are down 20 percent from 2006 and fairness and permanence will encourage in January, our crude oil exports were even more investment and job growth that will benefit both of our nations.

While tariffs present an more than double the average from the year. The U.S. became a net Tariffs and trade agreements matter obstacle to growth, current previous exporter of natural gas in 2017 and those in Texas because when our state’s oil and negotiations related to exports are expected to increase more natural gas industry does well, all Texans do well. As the industry’s remarkable the North American Trade than 10-fold in 2019 — thanks in part to the seven LNG facilities planned or under recovery continued, oil and natural gas Agreement present a construction in Texas. Meanwhile, soarcompanies paid more than $11 billion in state and local states and state royaltremendous opportunity. ing production is driving massive investment in pipelines, refining capacity, and ties in fiscal year 2017 — a $1.6 billion petrochemical manufacturing along the increase from the previous year. Those Texas Gulf Coast. funds directly support our schools, roads These energy outcomes were unthinkable a decade ago and first responders. and they are a direct result of Texans’ strong workforce, The benefits of a healthy Texas oil and natural gas dedication to innovation, and consistent regulations and industry extend beyond local treasuries. Texas’ surging policies. We have to work to preserve this progress and we oil and natural gas production, growing pipeline infraneed smart public policy — at all levels of government — structure, and expanding export and refining capacity to encourage continued energy prosperity for America. were central to several recent energy-related milestones

Giant in the Making Ours is a whale of a project.

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PEOPLE POWERED

Industry supports Read Across America Day

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n Read Across America Day, 29 volunteers from The Dow Chemical Co. Dow Texas Operations, Phillips 66, Zachry Group, Olin Corp., TDECU, Communities In Schools Texas Joint Venture, M & M Plumbing, and across Brazoria County gathered at Brazoria County Head Start Early Learning Schools Inc. in Alvin, Angleton, Lake Jackson and Sweeny to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by reading his books aloud to the students.

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Contributed photo

These volunteers read from books provided by the Brazoria County Library System and were supported by library representatives from Alvin Library, Angleton Library, Lake Jackson Library and Sweeny Community Library.

The Alvin school featured a special surprise visit by the Alvin ISD Book Bus arranged by Bel Sanchez and the Alvin ISD Education Foundation.

After enjoying the great selection of Dr. Seuss books, the students participated in a special STEM activity powered by DowCorps

and United Way of Brazoria County — building their own DNA Bracelets, based on each child’s unique traits.

At the end of the morning, each child received a new book bag containing a Dr. Seuss book for them to keep and healthy snacks provided by the Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County.

All together, the 29 volunteers made a lasting impression on the lives of more than 200 Brazoria County Head Start students and they gave back more than 50 hours of service to the community.

SPRING 2018

P rinting and P romotional P roducts

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Contributed photo

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Chevron Phillips Chemical Supports Relief Efforts for Those Impacted by Hurricane Harvey $125,000 to United Way to assist with short and long-term disaster recovery. $50,000 to Salvation Army of Brazoria County to help with its voucher program for residents to rebuild their homes. $25,000 each to: Sweeny Rotary • Brazoria County Citizens Corp • Friends of the River San Bernard • Communities in Schools • Gulf Coast Rescue Squad •

$10,000 each to: • Sweeny Community Hospital • Sweeny ISD • Columbia-Brazoria ISD • Bay Area Council • SPCA of Brazoria County • Brazoria County Dream Center

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PEOPLE POWERED

US Coast Guard recognizes Port Freeport, Brazos Pilots leaders

P

ort Freeport Director of Operations Al Durel and Brazos Pilots Association President Capt. Billy Burns were honored in February by the U.S. Coast Guard for their service during the events of Hurricane Harvey. Rear Adm. Paul Thomas presented the award to the Greater Houston-Galveston Port Coordination Team at the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee meeting Feb. 2.

“The resiliency of operations in Port Freeport after this disastrous event is a result of their leadership, cooperation and commitment to maintaining safe and secure waterways,” said Phyllis Saathoff, Port Freeport executive director/ CEO. “This is a great honor for Mr. Durel and Capt. Burns, the Port Coordination Team and the Port community.”

Durel and Burns also were recognized for their service at the Feb. 8 Port Freeport Commission meeting.

“The dedication by both Mr. Durel and Capt. Burns to the Port Coordination Team during the preparation for and response to Hurricane Harvey was instrumental in the timely reopening of the Freeport Harbor Channel,” said Paul Kresta, Port Freeport Commission chairman.

The Port Coordination Team is an essential group of area port representatives who work together

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Contributed photo

Port Freeport Chairman Paul Kresta presents Al Durel and Capt. Billy Burns with public service commendation.

to keep communication flowing throughout the maritime and industry communities.

The team works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard during heavy weather and emergency events to relay critical information both to and from maritime community and industry partners.

Burns has served the Brazos Pilots for 20 years. He began working with the Port Coordination Team upon its establishment in the early 2000s.

Durel graduated from the University of New Orleans and has held various positions throughout his career, including ship superintendent, vessel agency, terminal operator, terminal manager and port captain. Durel joined Port Freeport as director of operations in 1999

and serves on numerous committees including the PCT — Port Coordination Team, BMAT — Brazosport Marine Action Team and Lone Star SAATHOFF Harbor Safety Committee.

Port Freeport is ranked 10th in chemicals and 26th in containers.

The Channel serves Dow Chemical, Phillips 66, BASF, Tenaris, Vulcan Material, Mammoet, Freeport Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG), Riviana, Dole, Chiquita, Seaway, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) and Hoegh Autoliners.

SPRING 2018

PEOPLE POWERED

Tenaris announces fifth scholarship winner Palacios High School senior Salvador Carrillo was named 2018 Tenaris Student of the Year at the 95th annual Bay City Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Banquet in January. Salvador received a college scholarship in the amount of $60,000.

In addition to the main scholarship, Tenaris also recognized all candidates for being outstanding examples of students in the community. Each finalist received $500 to help pay for textbooks in their first year.

Chevron Phillips Chemical sponsors 2018 Women in Industry Conference trip On Feb. 22, 15 Sweeny ISD juniors and seniors from attended the 2018 Women in Industry Conference at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Participants heard from women who work in the petrochemical and industrial trades industries and had the opportunity to talk with college representatives about enrollment, financial aid and other training-related issues. Several major petrochemical employers were also present for the third annual conference.

CPChem also sponsored 20 Columbia-Brazoria ISD female students to attend. The company has a women’s strategy to focus on recruiting more women to the historically male-dominated industry.

It also has a diverse culture that thrives on its ICARE principles. ICARE stands for inclusion, cooperation, accountability, respect, everyday.

Industry moves GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM

Clark Industrial Services welcomes new president Kenny LeBouef has been hired to serve as president of Deer Park-based Clark Industrial Services. He brings 30-plus years experience, including time at The Dow Chemical Co. LeBouef began his duties Jan. 8.

Caballero named Human Resources VP at CPChem Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. named Maricela Caballero to succeed Vice President of Human Resources Greg Wagner upon his retirement May 16. Caballero as 30 years of service with CPChem and Chevron Corp.

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SPRING 2018

BUILDING A SPINE

Petrochemical industry leaders, politicians lend support for system of levees and barriers to protect the coast STORY BY MADDY McCARTY

GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM

PROTECTION

T

wo years before Hurricane Harvey would threaten the southeast Texas coast along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas A&M University-Galveston published a study with the recommendation to build a system of levees and barriers to protect Houston, Galveston, and other coastal areas from flooding and storm surge events.

The combined system, called a “coastal spine,” could protect more than just the immediate cities. Industries in the Houston area provide 30 percent of the nation’s automobile fuel and 60 percent of the nation’s aviation fuel, state Sen. Larry Taylor said. In the four to five days the channel closed in August 2017 during Harvey, gas prices immediately shot up along the East Coast. That’s proof that protecting the area is a national issue, Taylor said.

Backed by fuel price and other data indicating the need for a coastal spine, industry leaders and politicians felt justified during a March 5 gathering in Pasadena in calling for the start of the $14 billion project.

If $14 billion sounds pricey, consider the alternative: Harvey is tied with Hurricane Katrina as the costliest tropical cyclone in history, with each racking up $125 billion damage.

The idea for the coastal spine developed after Hurricane Ike tore into Texas in

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PROTECTION

HURRICANE IKE This photo-like image from NASA of the Texas and Louisiana coast shows the impact of Hurricane Ike’s powerful storm surge on coastal wetlands. Hurricane Ike came ashore over southeast Texas on Sept. 13, 2008, bringing with it a wall of water that stretched from Galveston east across all of coastal Louisiana.

2008, thus the project’s nickname became the “Ike Dike.” Economic issues and the nation’s financial crisis overshadowed any discussion of coastal protection then, Taylor said. But times have changed. The local and national economies are now booming.

Couple the prospect of available funding with the call for action still ringing in the air in Harvey’s wake, and now might be the best time to move the project forward, the senator said.

The coastal spine, as proposed, should extend from Freeport, the home of Dow Chemical Co.’s largest manufacturing site, to Beaumont, home to Exxon Mobil Corp.’s chemical plants and refineries, Taylor said. Included in the project is a $330 million storm surge barrier at San Luis Pass in Freeport. According to the study, San Luis Pass is about 3,300 feet long with an opening of 22,000 to 33,000 feet.

“Enormous scour can be expected if you leave this gap open during a hurricane,” the study states.

Taylor said a down payment has been made on the coastal spine and the project is progressing.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz agreed during

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the March 5 gathering in Pasadena, telling attendees “the ball is rolling forward,” according to media reports.

And TAYLOR indeed it might be.

In February, Congress provided $15 billion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood-mitigation projects nationwide. The Federal Emergency Management Agency then targeted Harvey-impacted areas, stating $1 billion would be made available. Hector L. Rivero, president of the Texas Chemical Council, said local officials are seeking $8 billion in grant funding from FEMA for the project and $35 million from local resources for annual maintenance, according

FACTS ABOUT HURRICANE IKE Formed

Sept. 1, 2008

Dissipated

Sept. 15, 2008 (Extratropical after Sept. 13)

Highest winds

1-minute sustained: 145 mph

Fatalities 214 total

Damage

$38 billion (2008 USD) (Sixth-costliest hurricane in United States history; costliest in Cuban history)

Areas affected

Turks and Caicos Bahamas Hispaniola Cuba Cayman Islands Southeast Texas South Central United States Great Lakes region Canada SOURCE: Wikipedia

SPRING 2018

PROTECTION to Insurance Journal. A FEMA official said the agency is not yet involved with coastal spine funding.

LyondellBasell Industries NV CEO Bob Patel has been an outspoken advocate for the construction of the coastal spine, calling it one of the most important investments needed to mitigate damage from major storms.

a September 2015 study on Sabine Pass published by the Galveston District Army Corps of Engineers for Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management, Saathoff said. Like the call for the coastal spine, the Sabine Pass study came about after storm surge from Ike impacted it and Sabine Lake. The study states that while a seawall protected Port Arthur, the 14-foot storm surge brought BRAZORIA COUNTY INDUSTRIES devastation to the remaining half of Jefferson County, f built as proposed, the coastal spine would exhighlighting the need for flood mitigation knowledge. tend to the San Luis Pass in Freeport but not to Six objectives involving the reduction of risk to human the portion of the city where Dow Chemical Co.’s life and native ecosystems were developed in the Sabine operations are located. That’s because San Luis Pass Pass study. Two of them include reducing “economic is about 14 miles northeast along the coast from impacts of petrochemical supply related interruption for Dow’s Plant A, which also sits about 4 miles inland. the Sabine and Brazoria regions” and reducing risk to The Freeport Ship Channel backs up to Dow’s plants, critical infrastructure “e.g., medical centers ship chanas waterways also do with BASF Corp.’s terminal, Freenels, schools” for the same areas. port LNG, Phillips 66 and many other Brazoria County The study’s suggestions for Freeport and surroundbusinesses. ing areas include a 1-foot raise of four different leRather than implement a new system such as the vees, the Freeport Dock Floodwall and the Tide Gate spine, the Velasco Drainage District is focused on I-Wall. A 1-foot levee raise is in Port Freeport’s plans, improving the levees and systems that are already Saathoff said. The raising and general improvement functioning. of 44 miles of levee is something that will happen over “The levee system that’s currently in place was more time, Velasco Drainage District Chairman George Kidthan sufficient to handle the storm surge from Ike,” Port well said.

Freeport CEO Phyllis Saathoff Studies help with advising for flood mitisaid.

IKE DIKE gation, Kidwell said, but the drainage district Working together, the Port and A proposed system of levees and barriers always has to sit down and decide what is finanhas the backing of Houston officials and Velasco Drainage District based cially feasible and necessary. coastal industry leaders. The estimated their flood-mitigation needs off Coastal industries are aware of their locacost of the project is $14 billion. tions and the hazards of those locations, hence BASF’s interest in a coastal spine or any system that will protect against threats such as hurricanes and storm surge. The cost is like any other investment, BASF Freeport Senior Vice President Chris Witte said. Although the company will support the protection system offering the best value, BASF built its facilities with the risks in mind, Witte said. BASF’s buildings are “hurricane proof” and the company has systems to “back up the back-up systems,” the vice president said.

BASF’s first priority is to protect its people and the community, Witte said, then see to it that its assets sustain as little damage as possible.

Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune

I

GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM

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SPRING 2018

IN THE NEWS Olin Corp. reports $489.3M 4th quarter income Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending Dec. 31, 2017.

The fourth quarter 2017 reported net income was $489.3 million, or $2.89 per diluted share, which included a tax benefit of $437.9 million from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The fourth quarter 2016 reported net income was $17.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.

The full year 2017 reported net income was $549.5 million, or $3.26 per diluted share, which included a tax benefit of $437.9 million from the 2017 Tax Act. The full year 2016 reported net loss was $3.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share.

Fourth quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA of $277.9 million reflects depreciation and amortization expense of $147.5 million, restructuring charges of $11.7 million, acquisition-related integration and other costs of $2.7 million, and a gain on the sale of a former manufacturing facility of $3.3 million. Fourth quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by $12 million associated with Hurricane Harvey. Fourth quarter 2016 adjusted EBITDA was $221.7 million.

GCGIANTS@THEFACTS.COM

Full year 2017 adjusted EBITDA of $944.1 million reflects depreciation and amortization expense of $558.9 million, restructuring charges of $37.6 million, acquisition-related integration and other costs of $18.1 million, and a gain on the sale of a former manufacturing facility of $3.3 million. Full year 2017 adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by $54.7 million associated with Hurricane Harvey.

Sales in 2017 were $6,268.4 million compared to $5,550.6 million in 2016.

Praxair receives 2018 Silver Class distinction Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), a recognized global leader in sustainable development, was awarded a Silver Class distinction in RobecoSAM’s Sustainability Yearbook 2018.

Praxair was one of nine companies recognized with distinction in the chemical sector, and was the only U.S. company and industrial gases company to be recognized among all of RobecoSAM’s classes.

Praxair has received a distinction each year since the yearbook was first published in 2004.

“It is important for corporations to step up and help address global challenges through their business practices and we are proud that

Praxair is being recognized for doing so,” said Riva Krut, Praxair chief sustainability officer. “RobecoSAM is identifying companies that they consider to be good investments based on a variety of metrics including Environmental, Social and Governance factors.”

RobecoSAM is an investment specialist focused exclusively on sustainability investing and has compiled one of the world’s most comprehensive databases of sustainability information. The organization evaluated 2,473 companies based on economic, environmental and social dimensions, as well as other intangible business issues, such as management of innovation, customer relationships and brands.

Tenaris presents offshore solutions at forum Tenaris participated at the 18th annual Subsea Tieback Forum & Exhibition, the world’s largest subsea event, March 13 through 15 at Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center in Galveston.

Tenaris presented its integrated solutions for the line pipe industry, as well as its track record and experience in supplying offshore line pipe for the world’s most complex projects, with a focus on research and development to design new and updated solutions.

GULF COAST GIANTS

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IN THE NEWS Mammoet’s PTC reaches recordbreaking heights Mammoet has successfully completed the heavy lifting activities at Lotte Chemical’s Mono-Ethylene Glycol (MEG) project in Louisiana, USA. Following its expected opening in 2019, the MEG plant will be the largest facility of its kind, with a capacity to produce 700,000 tons of ethylene glycol per year. Mammoet was awarded the heavy lift portion of the project which included 62 scheduled lifts. Mammoet utilized its largest crane, the PTC 200 DS, which extended its reach to record breaking heights to increase the efficiency of lifting activities and complete the scope two weeks ahead of schedule.

The lifts executed by Mammoet ranged from 30 tons to 1,600 tons, the largest of which was the wash tower at a height of over 100 meters. Following the lift, the PTC 200 DS was reconfigured to include an

MEGlobal awards Fluor Freeport project contract Fluor Corp. (NYSE: FLR) announced MEGlobal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EQUATE Petrochemical Co., awarded it a contract for mechanical construction of its new monoethylene glycol manufacturing facility in Freeport. Fluor will book the undisclosed contract value in

50

GULF COAST GIANTS

Contributed photo

Mammoet’s PTC 200 DS is seen at record height.

additional 220 feet, bringing the total reach of the crane to 713 feet, the tallest the PTC has ever been on a job site. The configuration allowed the crane to remain in one location and execute lifts of modules located outside of the original lifting radius, keeping lifting activities consistent and eliminating downtime associated with crane relocation.

Patrick van der Meide, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Mammoet USA, said the team

was proud to have been a part this project.

“With this project, we were able to demonstrate that the PTC’s value extends beyond lifting oversized and heavy objects. It was the ability of this crane to reach smaller modules and execute various lifts outside of the original lifting range which ultimately delivered greater efficiency, enabling the scope to be completed safely and successfully ahead of schedule.”

the first quarter of 2018.

“This is Fluor’s fifth major construction project in Freeport over the past six years,” said Jack Penley, senior vice president of Construction & Fabrication for Fluor. “This will be MEGlobal’s first manufacturing unit in the United States.”

Fluor’s mechanical construction scope includes the installation of equipment, steel and piping for the MEG process unit. About 1,000 craft professionals are expected at peak construction for Fluor’s scope.

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