EthylChem
Point Pierre, Trinidad
June 25, 2008

Lauren was recently awarded a project by Ethylchem, LTD for a new ethanol dehydration facility located in Petrotrin's refinery in Point-A-Pierre, Trinidad, West Indies.  Lauren’s scope involves providing detailed design, procurement assistance, and construction management for a 100,000,000 gallons per year plant.  A contract for a second dehydration unit is currently under negotiations which, if awarded, would increase the total output of the plant to 200,000,000 gallons per year for both units

The hydrated ethanol ( about 90% alcohol) will be shipped into the Bay Of Paria near Petrotrin from Brazil and conveyed via subsea pipeline to the dehydration plant. After removing the water, the dehydrated ethanol( 99.7% pure alcohol) is shipped to the United States for distribution and blending with gasoline. The blend can be as much as 15% percent ethanol and 85% gasoline. 

Estimated construction time for the first unit is approximately 11 months, which should begin about the second week of July 2008. The estimate for the potential addition of a second unit will increase the construction schedule to approximately 15 months. Lauren’s construction management will continue through the plant start-up and operation.

Ben Malek was the first contact with the client on this project. For the past three years, Jack Cress has been the main point of contact in assisting with the client's negotiations with Petrotrin, the General Construction Contractor, as well as the subcontractors and the procurement of used and new equipment. Bill Lewis, Cheryl Robertson, Joe Maddox, R.G. Pratt, Mark Buchanan and Charlie Thompson from the Knoxville office also contributed to the conceptual and detailed design. The project has been moved to the Abilene General Office where Lauren has commenced with detailed design.