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Golden Triangle Project Scaled | Credit: Kiwit (page accessed Dec 3, 2025)

Overview

The USGC2 complex, now formally known as the Golden Triangle Polymers Project, is an $8.5 billion integrated polymers facility located in Orange, Texas. The facility represents a joint venture between Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (51%) and QatarEnergy (49%), with construction beginning in 2023 and operations originally targeted for 2026.

Facility Configuration

The complex centers on a 2,080 kiloton per annum (KTA) ethane cracker designed to process advantaged ethane feedstock from the Permian Basin and other U.S. shale basins. The ethane cracker features seven Technip 48M cracking furnaces and supplies feedstock to two high-density polyethylene (HDPE) units, each with 1,000 KTA capacity. The plant incorporates approximately 50 modules strategically placed using heavy lift cranes and self-propelled modular transporters, with key equipment including a quench tower, cracked gas compressor, C₂ splitter, and propylene and ethylene compressors.

Engineering and Environmental Performance

The facility targets approximately 25% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to similar facilities in the United States and Europe, positioning it as one of the most energy-efficient polymers complexes in operation. Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work is managed by a joint venture between JGC and Kiewit for the ethane cracker, with additional contractors including PCL Industrial for furnace construction.

Project Status

The Golden Triangle Polymers complex is currently under active construction with an expected startup in 2026. As of December 2024, both this facility and CPChem's Qatar joint venture project remain on track for 2026 operations. Construction reached peak personnel levels in late 2024 through mid-2025, with approximately 4,500 workers on site during this period.

Major construction milestones have been achieved, including the completion of all heavy haul movements in June 2025, which transported large equipment modules to the site between late 2023 and mid-2025. These modules have been successfully installed and represent integral components of the facility. The project is classified as "ongoing" with construction activities advancing across multiple phases including structural steel, module fabrication, mechanical systems, piping, electrical, instrumentation, and pre-commissioning work.