Shell’s planned new US biorefinery making progress

Progress is being made at the site of Shell’s former Convent refinery where the oil and gas company plans to build a $1.48 billion (€1.48 billion) low-carbon fuels facility.
The project’s first phase will include a renewable fuels unit that would produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from plant oils, animal fats and used cooking oils. The company said it is close to reaching a final investment decision, a precursor to construction, on that project.
The plan to repurpose Convent, north-west of New Orleans, is the first in a series of projects Shell is considering at its chemicals facilities along the Gulf Coast to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels. The regional spending plan could cost as much as $10 billion (€10 billion).
The new facility will source sugarcane ethanol as a primary feedstock while also having the capacity to turn corn ethanol into low-carbon fuels.
New equipment for the site will include reactors, heat exchangers, compressors, pumps and more. It will use existing pipelines and utilities.
Shell estimates construction would start in February 2025 and would finish by March 2028.